benefits of swimming in cold water in the morning

Let’s know the benefits of swimming in cold water:

Benefits of swimming in cold water

These are the highlights:

1. Improving the psychological state

Swimming in cold water may bring many benefits to mental health, as exposing the body to cold water may activate the sympathetic nervous system, and raise the levels of some neurotransmitters, such as: norepinephrine, and endorphins.

These physical changes may contribute to:

• Alleviate depression.
• Improve mood and resist stress and anxiety.

It should be noted that part of the effect mentioned above is related to the movement of the body while swimming, which may have an effect similar to the effect of meditation, and the tingling feeling that you may get when you enter the water may stimulate your body to produce more endorphins.

2. Strengthening the body’s immune defenses

One of the benefits of swimming in cold water is that it may enhance the body’s immune defenses, which may reduce your risk of many diseases, such as: colds and heart disease, as exposure to cold water may help :

• Accelerating the pace of metabolic processes: It is a mechanism that the body uses to warm itself, and it may lead to activating the immune system and stimulating the production of more white blood cells.
• Combating oxidative stress: Swimming in cold water may initially raise levels of oxidative stress, but as you get used to it, swimming may improve your body’s ability to combat oxidative stress.

3. Strengthen blood circulation

Sudden exposure to cold water leads to a sudden change in body temperature, and this change stimulates the heart to start pumping more blood to the body’s organs, and with the increased strength of blood circulation , the body becomes more able to excrete toxins and waste out of it, which may help, for example, to clear the skin of impurities.

4. Resist the imbalance of some hormones

One of the potential benefits of swimming in cold water is that it may help to boost the production of some important hormones, such as: estrogen and testosterone, which may contribute to the following:

• Raising fertility levels and enhancing libido.
• Improving the body’s ability to build muscle tissue.

5. Other benefits of swimming with cold water

These are some:

• Improving sleep quality, as swimming in cold water may promote feelings of relaxation and rest.
• Burn a lot of calories, as swimming in cold water has the potential to boost metabolism.
• Improving male fertility, especially when cold water is used as an alternative to hot water . Hot water is a natural contraceptive.
• Improving the ability of tissues to recover from injuries, as cold water may help: reduce swelling and resist tissue disintegration.

see: cumin benefits for health

Disadvantages of swimming in cold water

Although the benefits of swimming in cold water may be present, this type of practice is not suitable for everyone, and may harm some if not performed correctly. Here are the main disadvantages of swimming in cold water:

• Hypothermia: where the body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius, which may lead to complications such as: blue lips, shivering, and rapid breathing.
• Cold water shock: It is a reaction that arises when suddenly exposed to cold water, as some blood vessels in the vicinity of the heart begin to exert a double effort, which leads to gasp.
• Chilblains: blisters or bumps appear on the surface of the skin at the ends of the body. This phenomenon is not dangerous, but it is disturbing.
• Other complications, some of them serious, such as: loss of consciousness, heart rhythm disturbances, and drowning.

Important tips for swimming in cold water

The benefits of swimming in cold water may be present, but he must adhere to some important recommendations, to make the experience fruitful and safer, such as:

• Avoid entering water with a temperature of less than 15 degrees Celsius suddenly, unless you are used to it, to avoid a shock that may leave you unable to breathe .
• Do not swim for a long time in cold water, and instead make sure to swim in short successive periods, while constantly moving the body.
• The need to consult your doctor first, especially if you have certain diseases, such as: high blood pressure, asthma , and heart disease.
• Breathe slowly and take deep breaths regularly while swimming. Unable to control your breathing can put you at risk.
• The need to get out of the water immediately when symptoms appear that may mean a state of hypothermia , such as: warmth and cramps.
• Avoid swimming in cold water alone.
• After swimming, it is preferable to remove wet clothes immediately and replace them with warm clothes, drink a hot drink, and avoid showering with hot water an hour before you get out of the water.

Swimming in cold water vs. taking a shower in cold water

Swimming in cold water is more beneficial than taking a shower in cold water, provided it is done correctly and by people who can tolerate it. The amount of interest earned, namely:

1. Water temperature

The temperatures of the seas and oceans reach temperatures so low that tap water may not be able to reach them, meaning that swimming in cold water means that the body is exposed to lower temperatures.

2. Body cooling speed

When bathing in cold water, the entire body is not immersed in cold water, unlike swimming; Since the entire body is submerged in cold water, the rate of decrease in body temperature when swimming in cold water is faster.