What are the benefits of swimming in open water and cold water?
These benefits are multiple, very varied and very numerous. Some are based on the feelings and experiences of swimmers, others have been demonstrated and explained scientifically. It's wide!
There are 4 main categories:
- The boost and energy : the swimmer in cold water feels awake, alive, efficient. The sudden cooling of the skin causes “the initial cold shock reaction”. This reaction explains the release of many stress hormones in the body (cortisol, adrenaline) hence the energy boost.
- A strengthened immune system : Swimmers say they no longer have colds and haven't been sick for a long time. More difficult to prove but certain avenues are being studied. Also, it seems that a short immersion in cold water would be sufficient, no need to stay long.
- A powerful anti-inflammatory : repeated immersion in cold water would be a powerful anti-inflammatory, for example in the context of diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc. It's an experience shared by swimmers: swimming in cold water helps my chronic hip pain!
- Reinvigorated mental health : less stress, a substitute for antidepressants – I can no longer do without my sea bath.
Other criteria must be taken into account and are not only due to the cold water... And also contribute to making it a great activity:
- Swimming in a group, belonging to a community
- Swimming in a beautiful, surrounded place. By nature (with blue/green therapy)
- Play sports
Placebo or not, swimmers all agree: swimming in cold water feels good and quickly becomes a drug!
