Ice baths are now the coolest thing to have in the boardroom

Porsches, private jets, a phalanx of personal assistants, seafood kitchens and even personal advisors for the acquisition of works of art: these are all among the status symbols that CEOs flaunt.

The last trophy will seem less attractive to many: an ice bath.

But having a tub of cold water in your attic or mansion in which to let yourself shiver is, believe it or not, a badge of prestige.

Celebrity fans of “cold water immersion” (the fancy term for submerging yourself in ice water) include pop stars Lady Gaga and Madonna.

The trend has taken hold in boardrooms and trading floors.

The cold water craze includes freezing showers and ice baths, where users soak in a low-temperature sauna-style box or inflatable capsule for a few minutes.

Like many fads in the business world, it seems to have started in Silicon Valley.

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey says he starts his days at 5 a.m. with an ice-cold bath, just before embarking on a five-mile walk to work. A cold bath is part of Richard Branson’s morning routine on his Necker island.

Brewdog founder James Watt, who takes an ice bath on the balcony of his luxury London apartment, says it is “the most important thing” he does for his health.

Devotees claim there are many physical benefits.

They argue that cold exposure, when alternated with a hot shower or sauna, can improve circulation, which is beneficial for heart health. Cold can also help numb pain receptors in those experiencing joint or muscle pain.

Bosses also believe it increases their resilience to uncomfortable experiences, thereby training their brains to better manage stress.

Some City insiders joke that the temperature of these dips is actually much warmer than some investor meetings.

Hugh Wahla, former head of fashion chain Urban Outfitters and furniture store The Conran Shop, is a supporter of the big freeze. “Every time I face a new challenge, I remind myself that I went from hating the cold to loving ice baths,” he enthuses, having just returned from a relaxing swim in the outdoor pool at Brockwell Lido in South London.

He even goes so far as to say that experiencing “the invigorating cold of the water” is a “powerful way to build community and forge deep connections” with co-workers.

James McMaster, boss of protein shake maker Huel, says daily cold showers make you “a better CEO”, while weekly ice baths help you build mental stamina.

His company’s managers even took a communal swim at an office party last year.

The founder of a UK technology company says ice baths are popular among his thirty-something peers as a way to combat work stress.

It even exists on Wall Street. Vito Sperduto, head of RBC Capital Markets US, has said he hasn’t used hot water for years, even despite New York’s harsh winters.

Immersion in cold water can release feel-good chemicals in the body.

Krissie Claire, who runs marketing agency Kollectify, says she takes a cold bath in the morning.

“It’s self-care, meditation, challenges, anxiety reduction, muscle recovery after exercise, a safe space and a place to overcome fear and prepare for whatever comes your way,” he says.

Many follow the teachings of Wim Hof, a Dutch motivational speaker nicknamed “the Ice Man,” who popularized cold water immersion.

However, admiration for him has been tarnished in recent weeks following accusations from his ex-partner that he abused her and their children for years. Hof denies these claims.

Ice baths come with health warnings, including the risk of hypothermia or frostbite if someone stays in too long.

But anyone wanting to bathe like a boss can buy a cheap ice bath for less than £50 at High Street retailers, while fancier ones cost closer to £4,500.

Other City types head to places like Hackney Wick Sauna Baths in east London, which have barrels of ice water. Or you could just take a cold bath or shower at home.