What is winter swimming called?
Cold water swimming (winter or ice swimming) has a long tradition in northern countries. Until a few years ago, ice swimming was practiced by very few extreme athletes. For some years now, ice swimming has been held as competitions in ice-cold water (colder than 5 °C). Swimming is an activity that involves moving through the water using your arms and legs. One of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer day is swimming in a cold lake or pool. Swimming is both a casual activity and a serious sport.Not only does swimming offer a refreshing break from the stresses of daily life, but it also provides a unique environment for mindfulness and relaxation. The rhythmic movements, combined with the soothing sensation of water, can help alleviate anxiety, improve mood, and promote overall well-being.Swimming is a good all-round activity because it: keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body.Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one’s entire body to move through water.
Do people swim in winter?
Competitions for winter swimming also exist. Many winter swimmers swim with standard swimsuits rather than with wetsuits or other thermal protection. Famous ice and winter swimmers include lynne cox and lewis gordon pugh. A full-body wetsuit that covers your arms and legs is ideal for extremely cold waters, as it provides maximum protection against the cold. Look for a wetsuit specifically designed for swimming, as it will have flexibility in the shoulders and arms to allow for a natural swimming stroke.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.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.Even the hardiest winter swimmer often sports neoprene boots and gloves, which take the bite out of below 10 degree water and can extend swimming time as a result (it is also easier to get dressed with non-frozen fingers). Long arm gloves and long socks are designed to be tucked into wetsuit arms and legs.
Is winter swimming good for you?
Here are just a few reasons people love a cold water dip: It can improve your fitness levels and your metabolism. It may help with aches and pains. It can improve your circulation. Improves cardiovascular health – Cold water immersion can help improve cardiovascular health by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and decreasing blood pressure. Lowers blood pressure – Studies indicate that cold water immersion supports your cardiovascular system and may lower blood pressure.Research shows that cold water immersion (CWI) may improve mental health by increasing endorphin and norepinephrine levels. CWI may also improve resilience to stress by decreasing cortisol levels. CWI can be adapted to meet different wellness goals, whether for immediate relief or long-term mental health benefits.
Why do I love cold water swimming?
A natural high It is likely that the post cold swim ‘high’ involves the body’s release of natural chemicals like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. Endorphins relieve stress and pain; serotonin helps you feel happier, calmer and more focused; and dopamine makes you feel motivated, accomplished and productive. At the biochemical level, whole-body exposure to cold triggers a release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine, and β-endorphin [14], which play a crucial role in emotion regulation [15,16], stress regulation [17], and reward processing [18].