Why has wild swimming become our latest craze?
Lockdown has prompted us to look outside our usual routines and lifestyle to find alternative ways to exercise, entertain and take care of ourselves, and there has been a boom in wild swimming.
It offers a pretty exhilarating experience and it’s not surprising therefore that after dipping a toe in just the once, many people quickly become hooked!
It seems that swimming and being outdoors is not just beneficial to our physical health, but also for our mental health too.
A study published in British Medical Journal Case Reports provided the first case report that cold water swimming may be an effective treatment for depression. The theory behind this is that one form of stress – ie the shock of cold water – adapts the body for another, in this case the stress response associated with depression and anxiety.
As a complete convert to the screaming, gasping, breath-taking joys of wild swimming, I can highly recommend it! You can’t help but forget all your aches, pains and worries. It is a totally ‘in the moment’, focused and whole-body present experience.
Gone are the worries of what has happened in the past or the concerns of what might be in the future, all you can think of is the grounding sensation of connection with water, wildlife and your breath. Bliss!
Tempted? Now is the time to try it, as water and air temperatures begin to rise and we are allowed to travel to the perfect spot, give it a go!
It's a simple, low-cost hobby with minimal gear needs. Getting involved can be as easy as downloading the map of the best wild swimming places in the UK, grabbing a cossie and heading off. Many new and veteran open swimmers joined open-water swimming groups, and there are even organised trips to favourite swimming spots along the UK's extensive coastline.
If you’re new to wild swimming there might be a few safety considerations for you:
· swim in a group or with a buddy
· check the location for currents, depth and underwater obstacles
· consider a wetsuit, swim cap, gloves, goggles and booties to swim in
· acclimatise slowly by getting in gradually and focus on controlling your breathing
· bring plenty of towels, hats, jumpers and hot drinks to warm up quickly afterwards
Cold water has been proven to boost your immune system, improve your circulation and give you a natural hit of endorphins. There’s nothing like the feeling of emerging from a river, lake or the sea with tingling skin and a clear mind, but be warned – wild swimming is seriously addictive.