The Wonders of Wild Swimming in Cold Water
Wild swimming in cold water has become as regular as stretching and foam rolling in my self-care routine. Books have been published on the benefits of wild swimming in cold water. By summarising a few here, I’m certain I can tempt you to, not only dip your toe, but take the plunge of full immersion.
The Benefits of Cold Water Immersion
Cold water wild swimming creates intense vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels to enhance blood flow to areas of the body that are lacking oxygen and/or nutrients). This brings fresh blood to congested areas of the body. Apparently Paula Radcliffe would take a cold shower before a race.
Through regular wild swimming in cold water you become acclimatised to the cold. Over time the body’s adaptation to cold is clinically proven to boost mood, libido and the immune system.
Endorphins are released by wild swimming in cold water to provide a natural high; offering intense feeling of wellbeing and happiness.
Recent studies are also suggesting cold water swimming may protect the brain from degenerative diseases like dementia.
Cold water swimming also burn calories and builds muscle tone.
Into The Wild
While some athletes endure an ice bath or cold shower, I enjoy the wildness of a nearby river or lake. Similarly to Forest Bathing (a Japanese natural therapy called shinrin-yoku), being in nature is said to restore mood and revitalise energy.
Turning Anxiety into Euphoria
For me, the most powerful byproduct is stress reduction. You can sink in with a bad mood but always re-emerge smiling from ear to ear. The post-swim smiles of my wild swimming companions (and there is a lot of us) suggests they also conquer.
Cold water wild swimming offers a moment of ‘mindfulness’ whereby we’re forced to focus solely on one thing: our physical sensations.
We can’t retreat to the river every time we feel stressed. If we can learn to focus on mindfulness during other activities (walks, enjoying a coffee, having a bath or reading a book) perhaps we can learn to switch our stress on and off.
Fitness V Fortitude
I could max-out an hour workout in the time it takes me to kit-up and travel to the waters edge; all for less than five minutes in the water sometimes. However, while workouts make me fit, wild swimming in cold water gives me fortitude.
Cold water immersion hones physical and mental resilience. This arms me in my other sporting pursuits, but also for life’s challenges too.
Dare to Dunk
Diving into scarily deep lakes and inhospitable looking rivers still fills me with fear. But every time I shake dry at the shore post-swim, I’m empowered and feeling accomplished.
If you’re thinking of going wild swimming in cold water please ensure you never swim alone, research the body of water you’re swimming in, don’t stray too far from the waters edge, keep your swims short to start and slowly acclimates to the cold, and stuff your kit bag with warm clothes, a hot water bottle and a flask of tea. The Outdoor Swimming Society have lots of great advice on getting started.
I hope this article has provided you with the curiously and courage to - slide not dive - into wild swimming in cold water.
Swim Safe!