You may have seen it on your social media: people taking a dip in natural water in the winter. It’s like an ice bath. Many people swear by the benefits of an ice bath or swimming in natural water in the winter, but is it really that good for you? Before you do this, there are at least a few things you should know. This way you can be sure that you will get out of the water in good health.
Why swim in natural water in winter?
We understand that we take a dip in a lake or other type of natural water in the summer. But voluntarily swimming in ice-cold water in winter is something we need to think about. Why would you do that? Well, there really are a few advantages. Swimming in cold water is good for your blood circulation, which is good for you. Your body also becomes stronger because your immune system strengthens. And it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. So we can say that it is healthy for you and it helps you to prevent diseases, for example.
Swimming in cold natural water not only has physical benefits, but also benefits for your mental health. Why? Swimming in cold natural water may be very outside your comfort zone. If you do this anyway and it works, just show that you can do it. And that may prove to you that you can do much more. In addition, such a refreshing dip gives you a feeling of energy and you produce extra dopamine (the substance that causes a feeling of happiness).
Not without risks
But, taking a dip in cold water is not entirely without danger. Simply taking a dip in ice-cold water can sometimes cause your body to go into shock. This disrupts your breathing, which may cause you to panic, which can have unpleasant consequences. Or maybe it is the case that you don’t have any problems at all, swim a little further away and then notice that you don’t like it. This may cause you to lose control of your muscles, which is also very dangerous. If you want to take a refreshing dip, don’t stay in the water for more than fifteen minutes. And if you have a heart condition or asthma, we do not recommend swimming in natural water in winter
Do’s
There are a few things you can do to make swimming in natural water in winter as safe as possible. First we recommend that you build it up. Enter the water very slowly the first few times and do not stay in the water for more than a minute. Breathe calmly in through your nose and out through your mouth. If you think it’s still too cold, you can put on a wetsuit, for example. It is also possible to practice at home: take an ice-cold shower. And the following applies not only at home, but also for the real job: don’t warm yourself with a hot shower, but with a nice towel and sweater. This is how your body regulates its temperature best.
Don’t
Then there are also a few very important don’ts when swimming in natural water in winter. First of all: don’t swim tens of meters. Stick to the side and only take a short dip. Even experienced swimmers can sometimes go into shock. By staying at the edge, you pull up in a certain way or call for help. And speaking of other people: never swim alone. Take turns entering the water, so that there is always someone there to help you if things go wrong. About the swimming itself: first let your body gently come into contact with the cold water. So don’t just take a dip. This causes your body to go into shock more quickly.
