How do you recover from cold water swimming?
Warm Up After: Have warm towels or blankets ready for after your swim, and consider a warm drink to help raise your body temperature. Hot Shower or Bath: Taking a warm shower or bath after swimming can help soothe your muscles and restore your body temperature. Drink Water: Hydration is important, even in cold water. According to Harper, a cold swim increases your basal metabolic rate, meaning you burn off more calories afterwards.Cold water swimming can improve blood pressure and fat levels in the blood when practised regularly by those in good general health. However, if you have a heart condition, there are risks you should consider and discuss with your doctor or nurse specialist before starting swimming.The secret to acclimatising to cold water is just to swim in it, often – at least once a week, and preferably two or three, gradually extending the time that you stay in the water,’ says Dr Heather Massey a swimmer and a researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth.Enter the water slowly, giving your body at least 30 seconds to acclimatise after the initial cold shock response before swimming or putting your face near the water. Don’t swim in colder water for longer than 10 minutes, and avoid using how you feel as a guide — cold incapacitation can occur with little warning.An emerging body of behavioural studies indicates that regular swimming in cold water has positive effects on mental health and wellbeing, such as reducing fatigue, improving mood, and lessening depressive symptoms.
What to wear after a cold water swim?
After cold-water swimming, it’s all about drying and dressing quickly in layers so you can warm up effectively by trapping air and retaining heat between fabric. A thermal base is a great place to start, and something merino wool-based will wick away any moisture while keeping you warm. Several studies have described a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and cardiovascular risk factors. Cold water swimming appears to have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors such as lipid profile [23,24,56] or blood pressure [53].Your ability to survive cold water immersion depends on your ability to stay afloat and to stay warm until help arrives. Below are several things to consider prior to venturing out on cold water. Always wear a life jacket in and around the water. Always dress for water temperature, not for air temperature.There’s no evidence that cold showers help with weight loss. But they still may provide other benefits for your metabolism. Cold water immersion can activate brown fat cells, which then burn fat to create more energy. Some studies suggest this can help regulate insulin levels and help prevent diabetes.However, if you have a heart condition, there are risks you should consider and discuss with your doctor or nurse specialist before starting swimming. Our heart works harder when we’re moving through water than when we’re on land. And the colder the water, the harder the heart must work.
What do cold water swimmers wear?
Wetsuits are optional. Many outdoor swimmers prefer the more natural feeling of just being in a swimsuit, even in cooler temperatures, but if you like the idea of some insulation or you’re planning to do longer swims in chilly water, a wetsuit will help your body retain warmth. Street clothes (especially those made of cotton) can transport air and waterborne contaminants to the pool. Absorbent materials such as cotton can break down in the water. These fibers can clog pool filters and create the need for expensive repairs. Lycra and Nylon are the best non-absorbent materials for swimwear.Most competitive swimmers wear special swimsuits including partial bodysuits, racerback styles, jammers and racing briefs to assist their glide through the water thus gaining a speed advantage. For diving in water temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F), special bodysuits called dive skins are worn.Home clothes like street clothes, regular shorts, and underwear are not designed for swimming. They can introduce air and waterborne contaminants into the pool, disrupting the water’s chemical balance and clarity. Examples of inappropriate items include everyday cotton underwear, bras, and regular T-shirts.
What happens to your body after cold water swimming?
The cold can dull your blood pressure response and make you feel dizzy and faint. Now that you are out of the water doesn’t mean you will instantly start to warm up. In fact you will continue to cool, sometimes called the ‘afterdrop’. This period of cooling can potentially last 30-40 minutes after your swim. You’ll have stopped swimming, are less active and no longer generating your own heat through exercise. You might feel warmer as the immediate cold of the water has been removed from your skin but your core body temperature will continue to drop. This can continue for around 30-40 minutes after you get out.Mental Health Improvements: Individuals suffering from depression experienced significant mood improvements after participating in cold water swimming. Calorie Burn: Cold water swimmers can burn up to 500 calories in a 30-minute session, depending on water temperature and intensity.Your body continues to lose heat, blood shunts to the core to keep organs warm. Your muscles lose power, limbs become slow and heavy, and swimming becomes increasingly difficult. Swimming becomes slower, ragged and short distances can take a long time to cover.
What is the best swimming costume for cold water?
For cooler temperatures, wetsuits are an obvious choice. Designed to provide thermal protection when wet, they work by letting water into the suit, creating a thin layer of water between the rubbery fabric and the skin, which then warms up and insulates the swimmer. Swimsuit – an item of clothing designed to be worn by people engaging in a water-based activity such as swimming, diving, and surfing, or sun-orientated activities, such as sunbathing.