The most significant benefit of swimming in cold water is boosting the immune system. When submerged in cold water, your body will undergo an initial shock and react by producing many white blood cells. Your blood will be pumping. More white blood cells equal a better immune system.

In many countries, swimming in cold waters is a big part of their culture. In Scandinavian and Eastern European cultures, people swim in ice-cold water, sometimes even in water that is frozen over where a hole has to be cut to be able to swim.

But what are the benefits of swimming in the cold or even ice cold water?

1. Immune system

As mentioned previously, one of the most significant benefits to seek from swimming in cold water is boosting the immune system. White blood cells, as well as antioxidants which are released in cold water, will strengthen your immune system.

2. Metabolism

Your body will work harder to keep everything warm, which makes you burn calories. Specifically, a particular type of fat called brown fat will be activated. Brown fat is different to white fat. To keep your body warm, brown fat is used, and when brown fat is activated, it will also burn calories.

3. Lymphatic circulation

Lymphatic vessels contract in reaction to cold water; this helps pump any lymphatic fluids through the body. If lymphatic circulation is boosted, it improves overall health.

4. Mental clarity

Studies have shown that people who swim in cold waters regularly are more energized, experience less fatigue and have a better memory function.

5. Anxiety and stress

When confronted with an anxiety attack, it is recommended to either submerge your whole body in cold water or at least splash cold water on your face and neck. The initial shock will distract your brain from the anxiety.

If you train your body to become used to cold water and be accustomed to the initial stress, this will also help overcome other daily anxiety.

So as you see, there are quite a few benefits from swimming in cold water, but you’re probably wondering, “how do I properly train my body for the feeling of cold water?”

Well, here are a few ways:

1. Cold showers

Cold showers are the best start. Do not push it and switch from taking long warm or even hot showers to taking long cold showers. Try slowly. Switch the warm water just for a few seconds. Then the next showers, you can gradually increase the duration of cold water compared to warm water.

2. Cold water baths:

This is a bit wasteful, but if you want to take cold swimming seriously, you should see this as serious preparation. Try laying in a cold bath just for a minute. The bath water should be cold, maybe even with a few ice cubes.

The second time you take a cold bath, submerge your head. With every other bath, increase from just a minute underwater to 3 minutes.

Take care to warm yourself up as soon as you get out of cold water!

After your body has finally overcome the stress of being in cold water and has regulated your body temperature, getting out of the water will be another great shock.

One of the biggest necessary measures to consider is instantly getting your body warm again when you get out.

Take off any wet clothing and get into dry, warm clothing. This may include putting on gloves and thick socks to ensure your body’s warmth.

Hopefully, you will consider cold water swimming. It does take a bit of preparation, but it has a lot of previously mentioned benefits. All the countries having it as a big part of their traditional culture must mean that it does help with an array of things.

Have fun in the cold water, but take care of your body before and after!

Lifeguard Services

Lifeguard services provide an easy way to hire a fully qualified lifeguard for permanent, short and long-term hire. We offer an easy way to make sure your allocated water is in safe hands. We can come to your school, outdoor event, party and more. To find out more and book, please see our booking page.