Although it may initially be a shock to the system, the benefits of cold water swimming are praised by health experts worldwide. Not only does it offer the chance to get outdoors, enjoy some fresh air, and take in some exercise, but regular dips can have an overwhelmingly positive impact on our mental health.
Cold water swimming, open water swimming, or wild swimming - as it's often called - has become one of the longest-standing health trends over the last couple of years with over 7.5 million of us taking to ponds, lakes, lochs, rivers, and seas every year, per surveys by the Outdoor Swimming Society. While it's always been popular, with literature going back to ancient times reviewing the positive effects of cold water on the body, more of us are taking on the challenge than ever before.
