30 March 2022
Warning: Though we are presenting the benefits of a cold water swim, there are still a lot of dangers that we need to be aware of. “Cold Water Shock is a danger in water below 15°C; that’s more or less the summertime average around the coast of the UK.” – https://www.rya.org.uk/e-news/up-to-speed/the-cold-shocking-truthabout-cold-water-shock-
When it comes to swimming, most people prefer going for a dip in warm water. But today, we’re going to take a look at the Wim Hof Method of swimming. This is the idea that going for a swim in cold water has a lot of health benefits! And even better, it can be practiced anywhere, using nothing more than a cold shower or taking a quick dip in chilly water. These would be practical for pool owners to be able to utilise their pools all year round. We’ve collected some of the biggest benefits of cold water swimming for you to look at!
#1 One of the biggest benefits of taking a cold water swim is that it helps improve all over circulation. This is because being exposed to cold water helps you flush out your veins by forcing the blood closer to the surface, to help warm up your arms and legs. The result is increased circulation, which is great, not just for limbs, but for the rest of your body too!
#2 Swimming in cold water can also be invaluable to anyone with an autoimmune disorder, as exposure to cold water can give your white blood cell count a boost. This makes it easier for your body to fight off colds, coughs and even the flu! Talk about swimming smart.
#3 There are two other cool things that cold water helps with: chronic pain and depression. This is because swimming through it – or taking very long, very cold showers – activates your bodies endorphins. Endorphins are the chemical that your brain creates to help you cope with pain, and to help improve your mood.
#4 It’s also said that the Wim Hof Method of cold water swimming can help lower your stress levels through that same methods. Because the endorphins produced give you such a mood boost, it’s a lot easier for cold water swimmers to stay relaxed and keep a level head even during the most stressful times.
#5 Let’s not forget that swimming is great exercise for those of us looking to lose a little weight – but cold water swimming in the Wim Hof Method is exceptionally good at jump starting your metabolism. One of the ways that your body maintains a healthy temperature while you’re exposed to the cold is by activating brown adipose tissue. That means you burn twice the calories on a cold water swim then you would swimming in warm water.
#6 There’s even an extra benefit in it for men – cold water swimming has been proving to increase your testosterone levels, which can mean that men find themselves getting a boost to their libido.
#7 One of the most interesting benefits to taking a cold water swim is the fact that it can activate the parasympathetic nervous system. That means that you’re going to find yourself feeling a lot more rested later in the day, and sleeping far more peacefully.
Cold water swimming can make you feel better mentally and physically, so if you’re looking to get a boost for your body, then you should consider checking out the Wim Hof Method of cold water swimming!
