I am a huge fan of cold water. I love immersing myself in cold water, even if for just a few precious moments. I love the challenge of embracing cold water even when I’d rather stay nice and warm and dry and cosy, on the beach or the riverbank or in my bathroom at home. I love the feeling of oneness with Nature when I am wild swimming. I love the connection I feel with my swimmy buddies who regularly get together to embrace the cold united, sharing and laughing and eating cake. I love the feeling as I emerge from the cold water and feel 100% physically and mentally invigorated. I love the tingling of my skin and the clarity in my mind and the feeling of pure joy to be alive in the moment. That’s my love affair with cold water!
Why I love swimming outdoors..
It was the time just before the world locked down, late 2019, and I had just relocated back to the UK after 6 years living in the Western Algarve. My new home is close by the stunning Yorkshire Dales and I felt blessed to be now calling this corner of paradise our home – that’s me and my 3 furry friends, Alfie, Leia and Jango, soon to be joined by my grown up son needing a change of scene and some family time.
Whilst the air temperature in Portugal is clearly significantly higher than that of a Yorkshire summer, when it comes to water temperatures, the Atlantic knows a thing or 2 about chuffin’ cold water! I lived within easy reach of the coast and trips to the beach were a necessary part of my life. I felt invigorated and truly alive every time I dove under an incoming wave, gasping for breath and instantly letting go of the stresses and strains of my day. It was so hard not to go in the water every time I found myself on a beach, even if just for a tentative paddle when the stormy skies brought dangerously wild waters crashing onto the shoreline.
Prior to coming home I spotted an article in the Guardian talking about the rise in popularity of wild swimming and my initial research revealed some delightful findings when it came to swim spots in the Yorkshire Dales. I was definitely headed to the perfect place for me and my outdoor swimming enthusiasm! Whilst it may be becoming a mainstream addiction, there are still many people who just don’t ‘get it’ and look at you from the safety of the footpath as if you are totally bonkers!
The first dip I did with my local swimming group was actually in mid-December and it was officially an ‘ice swim’ at an incredibly chilly 4.5 degrees! It was a shreeking and swearing fest for me, whilst the seasoned cold water swimmers who were sharing the water with me, seemed to slide effortlessly into the icy embrace of the River Wharfe without so much as a gasp – I still had some way to go I could see!
When it comes to swimming outdoors, there are just so many choices too, depending on what your preference is and where you are in the country. In Yorkshire we are certainly spoiled for choice with waterfalls, lakes and rivers all within easy access. If you fancy a day out, it’s only an hour from me to the Lake District (an outstanding destination for wild swimming) and we’re just over an hour from the nearest beach. We might not have the sunshine hours offered by the Algarve, but when it comes to immersing my body and soul into cold water, I feel truly blessed with the wild swimming options on my doorstep!
Cold water therapy for body, mind and soul
Regarding the benefits of cold water therapy, there are numerous research studies confirming the health benefits of cold water exposure, but everyone who loves cold water probably has their own personal version of why they do it and what they love about it. I don’t need scientific evidence to back up my belief in its healing and therapeutic powers. I just know that it makes me feel good, really good in fact.
Taking a 2-3 minute cold shower has become a committed part of my morning routine and I wouldn’t dream of starting my day without it. Warming up afterwards is easy – I wrap up and head out with the dog for a brisk and energising walk. In my experience the cold water shower is also great for my skin and hair, my skin feels more toned and my hair much softer. I can’t think of a better way to get launched into my day of creativity and productivity and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, even if you just start off with a quick 30 second blast of cold at the end of your usual shower!
9 benefits of cold water exposure
1: From a purely physical perspective, cold water immersion has been proven to help reduce muscle pain and stiffness after exercise. Ice baths are definitely ‘de rigeur’ in the world of elite athletes to help with training limits and recovery time.
2: Cold water therapy has been a healing tool for centuries to treat inflammation and injuries, even as far back as 2500 BC when the Egyptians celebrated its healing and restorative powers. The cold causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow which in turn reduces swelling and inflammation in the affected area.
3: Scientific studies have found that taking a cold shower increases your white blood cell count (through increased metabolic rate) and this may help protect your body against disease and give your immune system a great boost.
4: Cold water therapy also stimulates the generation of brown fat, which is a particular kind of fat tissue that generates heat for your body by burning calories.
5: There is growing evidence that cold water exposure can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The cold stimulates the production of the brain’s dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that is, as we all know, associated with feeling good and pleasure.
6: For people who have problems sleeping, apparently a cold shower before bed could be the solution you’re looking for, even though at first glance you may doubt its success in making you feel sleepier! The scientific theory behind this is that a cold shower helps to lower your core body temperature and allows you to fall asleep more easily.
7: In my personal experience, which I believe is shared by others, my daily cold water shower helps me to become happier, healthier and stronger. The water does feel really, really cold, however many times you do it, but it is now a non-negotiable in my daily routine to set me up for the day with a clear and focussed mind.
8: Cold water therapy can also have beneficial effects on your circulatory system, keeping your cells healthy and happy, with blood and lymph moved effectively around the body, improving your overall health. I love to focus jets of cold water on my legs to really help my body’s natural detoxification process.
9: Cold showers generate a certain degree of stress on your body and with regular practice will lead to a state of ‘hardening’ which means that your nervous system is better equipped to deal with moderate stress such as we can experience in our daily life. Regular exposure helps us manage stress and become more resilient.
Final thoughts on the magic of cold water
I am happy to share that cold water now plays a leading role in different areas of my life and is an integral part of my journey towards attaining and maintaining optimal health – physically, mentally and spiritually. Just to think, 3 years ago I had never even heard of cold water therapy and I certainly didn’t know who Wim Hof was – more on that another day!
