Not to mention the sense of accomplishment, camaraderie with fellow swimmers, a boost of endorphins, and the meditative state nature can induce. And, science is backing it.Ī pioneering study published in the British Medical Journal details how a weekly programme of cold open-water swimming prescribed to a 24-year-old woman struggling with depression and anxiety, actually led to an immediate and significant improvement in her conditions, enabling her to live medication-free.īut how does it work, you might be asking? Well it’s all to do with training the body to induce the natural cycle of stress to prompt self-regulation and relief, building resilience, and staying grounded. Now this isn’t a new concept – it’s actually been around for centuries – but it only seems to be in the past few years, and poignantly during 2020, that the practice of swimming in wild locations is really being acknowledged for its physical and mental health benefits.įrom seas, to lakes and rivers, perhaps the most notable thing is the colder the water the better! Often hailed as an elixir for good health, cold open-water swimming has been linked to pain relief, and a reduction in inflammation, increased concentration and libido, improved circulation, and has significant positive impacts on chronic low-mood and stress, to name just a few benefits. In this case, I’m talking about open-water swimming – in fact, cold open-water swimming. So imagine those feelings combined with the sun on your back, the scent of grass and earth in the air, and gentle waves carrying you forward. Read on.įloating, weightlessness, resilience, and total freedom – that’s what swimming means to me. We grabbed snippets from a number of articles covering this sometimes polarising topic. It's that time of year when we automatically look to the inside of our homes more and retreat from the cold to stay snuggly and warm.īut what if embracing the cold, particularly cold water actually benefits us more? Numerous studies have shown that spending as little as 10mins a day immersed in cold (less than 15° Celsius) can markedly improve stress and anxiety levels, depression and circulation to name but a few.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |