DID YOU KNOW: SWIMMING IN COLD WATER

 1 THE BENEFITS OF COLD WATER

Do you know the “Polar Bears”, the “Penguins of Dieppe” or the “Otaries”? Have you ever heard of these intrepid bathers who wait for winter  to seek the  virtues of cold water  ?

Despite popular belief, it is indeed true that cold water  provides  very real  beneficial  effects on blood circulation  and the  immune system  ,  including morale  !

Cold water  will allow your organs to be well nourished by nourishing and draining your cells, thus stimulating your  blood circulation .

This environment will also be conducive to the development and increase of your body's lymphocytes, which will have the effect of  strengthening your immune defenses . Regular cold water swimmers  are often less prone to colds and other respiratory infections with lifeguard classes

Experts also agree on the  psychological benefits  of a good bath or a  breaststroke in cold water . In particular, it will allow your body to release a lot of endorphins (the famous pleasure hormone) and will radically influence the reduction of potential pain or inflammation.

As a bonus, cold water  is a formidable means of burn calories  galore by making your metabolism work harder under  temperature stress .

Say goodbye to bad fats and bad moods!

Good to know:  for even more advantages, it is best to choose cold water… from the sea  ! Seawater  is indeed well known for its  anxiolytic , euphoric properties and as an antidepressant . 

2 WHERE DOES THIS IDEA COME FROM?

Swimming in cold water  is not   yet a very popular sport

• in France… But, traveling a little further north, in the Scandinavian countries, we can observe that this trend has already become a  sporting discipline  in its own right.

• In Finland in particular,  swimming in frozen lakes  is not unusual, on the contrary. For the population, this activity is very  beneficial for health  and also helps to clear the mind.

And, obviously, when the Finns take the plunge, it's not to joke! In fact, several times a year, more than 150,000 take part in  races in icy water with lifeguard events.

Their neighbors the Norwegians can seem just as  chilled  by taking part in crossings, sometimes very long, in the  Fjords  where the water is generally around 6°C...

3 CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE

It is of course important to know that cold water  is a strong aggression for the body!

Even if your body is admirably adaptable, and can acclimate to  cold waters  faster than you think, don't throw yourself body and soul into  frozen waters  without thinking.

First, and if this  discipline  kicks you, I recommend that you consult your doctor to eliminate any health apprehension.

Once officially fit, don't make the mistake of confusing speed with haste. The initiation to  swimming in cold water  is done gradually and, like any  sport , with training ., to avoid any risk.

My  advice  would be to start in temperate water, in  the sea, lake  or other body of water, at the end of summer. Then continue your  swimming  habits in the fall, then in  the winter , so that your body gradually gets used to the drop in temperature. To do so, the outings must still be done fairly regularly.

For entering the water, same principle, you gradually immerse yourself, taking care to wet your neck upstream. Hyperventilation is normal at first. Then blow slowly so that your body gradually gets used to the  cold .

As you exit the water, let your body shake. This reaction is completely normal and is intended to bring blood to your extremities.

Also Read About Swimming: The propulsion of the swimmer in swimming