8 reasons cold water swimming is good for you

‘Ice Man’ Wim Hof bathes in ice and runs up snow-capped mountains in his shorts. The reasons behind this are many, as are the benefits. Top of the list, though, is the mental clarity afforded by shocking the system into action. You needn’t fill your tub with ice; just try turning your shower to the coldest setting for 30 seconds each morning. By the end of the week, you’ll be able to stand it, and diving into a freezing outdoor pool, lake or pond will be an easier experience, and as your swimming, you will warm up more quickly than you can in a cold show.

‘Ice Man’ Wim Hof bathes in ice and runs up snow-capped mountains in his shorts. The reasons behind this are many, as are the benefits. Top of the list, though, is the mental clarity afforded by shocking the system into action. You needn’t fill your tub with ice; just try turning your shower to the coldest setting for 30 seconds each morning. By the end of the week, you’ll be able to stand it, and diving into a freezing outdoor pool, lake or pond will be an easier experience, and as your swimming, you will warm up more quickly than you can in a cold show.

Turning up to a new outdoor swimming spot is much more stimulating than simply sliding into the local indoor pool for another monotonous 50 laps. By searching for new and unexplored places, you can add a sense of adventure and reward to your workout that might otherwise be lacking.

Taking a dip in the sea, local pond or lake offers a welcome escape from swimming lengths in your local gym. With time in nature proven to reduce stress levels and reduce your risk of developing depression and mental illness, taking your workout outside is the best way to be kind to both body and mind.

Much like training in an altitude chamber, pushing yourself to perform in harsh conditions will force your body to adapt quickly. The cold will make breathing more difficult; forcing you to optimize what oxygen you can take in, making you more adept to stressful conditions. Going back into the local indoor pool will be a piece of cake in comparison.

According to the British Triathlon Federation, a “natural response to immersion in cold water can be the constriction of your arteries.” Just like using an ice pack, this can help prevent bruising, swelling and waste tissue build-up following an injury or sprain. Coldwater training as part of triathlon training can even help reduce soreness, too. According to a study published by the Cochrane Library, 360 people who immersed themselves in cold water after cycling or running, found the effect to reduce the onset of delayed muscle soreness.

According to research published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, regular cold-water immersion helps boost your body’s levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which in turn helps regulate the process of all other antioxidants in the body, helping to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.