Yes, I also related to the breathwork first before the cold. But I met more and more people for who it was the other way round. For them (e.g. ADHS diagnosed) experiencing the cold, was like an immediate soothing trigger to quiet the mind, to be in the present moment, connect with the body, for the sake of finding comfort in discomfort, to survive. There are studies confirming that cold exposure activates awareness and brain power. One is the "Brain Over Body" study done at Wayne State University, Michigan in 2018. In short, it showed that through mind power alone, you can activate a specific area of the brain (periaqueductal grey area) that alters your perception and response to pain. When done, over time it changes your experience, you overcome previous expectations/limitatuons and create new neurological connections. Your mind forms the brain, your brain creates a new experience for the mind, and you become a new (clearer) person through gradual change.