Open Water Swimming and Cold Exposure for Holistic Health
We see ever increasing numbers of patients who have taken up open water swimming and are enthusiastic about the benefits; indeed, it is an activity that Daniel Cullen (one of our Osteopaths) personally participates in and really enjoys.
The experience
Open water swimming includes rivers, estuaries and open ocean, but Daniel’s favourite is lake swimming which he describes as a peaceful, beautiful and calming environment.
Daniel finds that open water swimming takes him “out of his head” and into the present moment, enabling him to forget day-to-day concerns and worries. He tells us that focusing on the cold takes away all other thoughts and cares, and the entire experience melts away any stress and anxiety from the day.
Great Britain pool and open water international swimmer, Amber Keegan says that: ‘There’s something magical about being in the water.’
The results
Scientific studies on the benefits of cold water swimming are, as yet, limited, however Wim Hof, author of the book The Wim Hof Method: Activate your Potential – transcend your limits reports multiple anecdotal stories from people benefiting from his methods, which include cold water exposure.
Suggested health benefits for cold water swimming include:
- Immune system boost
- Blood circulation improvement
- Energy increase
- Inflammation reduction
- Better sleep
- Improved ability to regulate one’s stress response in daily life
- Improved will power
- Improved ability to sense and interpret signals from within the body
- Better focus and attention
- Increased happiness
Typical comments from open water swimmers include: ’Friends tell me I am mad; I say, maybe, but I am happy!”, and “Cold water swimming makes me feel really good for the rest of the day.”
Safety
As with many other sports it is important to be aware of the risks, especially in relation to cold water shock, so please do ensure you have taken notice of practical advice given by organisations such as the RNLI and other groups who support safe open water swimming, before you start.
This advice includes:
- Never swim in open water alone
- Choose a venue with lifeguards
- Wear a wetsuit
- Use a flotation device
The RNLI advise that if you are ever affected by cold water shock the effects usually pass after a minute, so they advise to try to keep calm and float (don’t try and swim), until you can swim to safety or call for help.
It is also important to highlight that if you have certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, a heart condition, asthma, are pregnant or are in any way concerned about your own personal health situation you should get medical advice first.
Where to swim?
More and more people are enjoying open water swimming so if you are tempted to join Daniel and take the plunge, where should you go to try it out?
It is important to ensure you choose a safe place for your open water swimming experience but there are many venues across the country that provide managed locations.
Daniel says that Quay Swim at Mytchett is one of the best lake swim experiences he has ever had. Fed by a fresh, clean water source and surrounded by beautiful green nature the lake has swim circuits of varying distances, easily navigated by colour-coded buoys. He also notes that lifeguard staff on kayaks are dotted around the lake.