Open water swimming is more popular than ever. If you’ve played out that cold shower by now, then this trend might be for you.
Swimming laps in nature is nothing new in itself. A few years ago, some adventurers could be found in the cold water with Lifeguard certification before dawn. But since corona time, open water swimming has only really gained ground. After all, the swimming pools were closed for a long time, unlike most nature reserves.
Health benefits of open water swimming
Before you immediately sprint to the nearest pond in the area, it might be a good idea to check swimmingwater.nl . This website contains an overview of places where you can swim in open water, and what the water quality is like there. A must for any lover of a cold dive. Getting out in the cold every now and then may be a challenge, but who knows, the health benefits below might win you over.
1. Good for your heart and circulation
As soon as you touch the cold water with your feet, you notice that your heart rate increases. The unexpected cold stimuli cause your circulation to accelerate, so that more blood is pumped to the vital organs such as the heart. Your body tries to keep itself warm with this , so that you burn more calories.
2. You train your mindset
Everyone hates the cold. But if you can get yourself into the water anyway, even though you know you don’t like it at first, you can get a huge mindset boost from that. Every time you brave the cold water is a victory in itself.
The Australian professor Marc Cohen therefore also speaks of ‘extreme wellness’. You go outside your comfort zone, to feel better afterwards than you did before. So you have to do something that is uncomfortable first to experience the positive effects.
3. Good for your body
We don’t have to tell you that exercise is good for your body. Not only does your body look better if you exercise regularly, but your body also recovers from hours in the gym, on the bike or in the open water.
Swimming is one of the more intense sports to practice because it is a full-body workout . This means that you train different muscle groups at the same time at your own weight. For example, with a run you mainly put your leg muscles to work, but with a swimming session you also train the arms and back.
That does not mean that swimming also has a higher impact on your body. In fact, if we compare the weather to running , swimming is better for people who are prone to injuries. You do not put any pressure on your tendons and joints, making it a sport that you can practice until a late age.
4. Cold makes your immune system stronger
There are several studies that show that swimming in the cold has a positive effect on the immune system. This large review also comes with some evidence that a short exposure to cold water is good for your immune system. People seem to get sick less quickly.
5. It makes you happier
A dip in cold water gives an energetic feeling. This is because our happiness chemical, dopamine, is produced extra. This is not only the result of the cold water, but also of the fact that you are in nature . Because look around you, you are probably in a beautiful place. No wonder it makes your body happy.
When you open Instagram you see one after the other swimming in cold water. From the Amsterdam canals to nature reserves with a beautiful sunrise, we have already seen everything. But where does this hype come from, and what does it get you?
We are curious and dove into the world of wild swimming. A tip of the veil: it is extremely good for your mental and physical health.
This is why you want to swim in cold water
- Hello good resistance ! Swimming in cold water gives your resistance a mega boost. Your immune system is stimulated by the difference in temperature, so that your body produces more white blood cells, which is good for your resistance.
- Your body makes extra dopamine when you are in the cold water. Dopamine is known as the happiness hormone, so you feel happy as soon as you get out of the water. In fact, wild swimming is sometimes even recommended as an aid to depression.
- Besides that swimming in open water makes you happy, it also gives you a lot of energy . That kick you feel when you get out of the water then translates into extra energy throughout the day. That is why many people choose to swim in open water in the morning.
- You are in nature and that is of course also very good for your health. It is recommended to walk outside for 20 minutes every day because it boosts your mental health and improves your concentration.
To chatter teeth so cold
Before you immediately run to the cold water, realize that the water outside is really very cold and that it is not smart to go under in one go. It is not a heated indoor swimming pool that you can easily jump into with a bomb. If you have already played out the cold shower , swimming in natural water can be a good next step.
Can’t wait to try it yourself after reading this article? The Dutch website swimmingwater.nl tells you exactly where you can swim, and what the water quality is like there.
Build it up slowly
A few more tips to keep in mind: don’t jump straight into the cold water, but start with your feet and build up slowly. This way you prevent your body from going into shock. And perhaps more importantly, never go alone. Always have someone around to keep an eye on things in case something goes wrong and your body reacts strangely to the cold.
And, take hot chocolate with you in a thermos. Believe us, you will really feel like it after swimming in cold water.