The benefits of cold showers for one’s health and work have been proven.
Yet earlier this year, less than 2 days after incorporating them into my morning routine, I came down with a cold. Frustrated, I promptly stopped my cold shower experiment, deeming it a failure.
My response was irrational.
I let my anecdotal experience, and the unlucky timing of the cold, overpower the evidence of a randomised controlled trial.
This experiment was small and inconsequential, so my decision resulted in no negative consequences. But what if this behaviour was repeated for a consequential decision? The risks suddenly become much greater.
Big life decisions need both data and emotion, as life would lose its lustre if we were robotic. However, it’s a helpful reminder to not let anecdotal evidence overshadow the evidence base.
Now, time to try the experiment again.