Take the plunge
Take the plunge
Take the plunge: How swimming and cold water therapy can help
Swimming can benefit your mental health in many ways. When you swim, your brain releases endorphins which are feel-good hormones. When these hormones are released it gives us a burst of positivity and gives us a sense of wellbeing. In tests, it has been found that swimming can also help to work on the parts of our brain that are responsible for long-term stress.
My story
It’s not always easy to put the things we are told to do into practice. We’re often told by the NHS that exercise is really important but finding the motivation and the time to actually start getting healthy is hard.
I felt really lost and wanted to get better but I had too many excuses that shot down any positive thought that entered my head. “Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel better”, well yes but “I’m tired” or “I’m not a fitness kind of person” and “I’m too self conscious to go to the gym”. One day I said enough was enough and forced myself to get in touch with my local leisure centre to see what offers they had on. Turns out they had a two week free trial available so I signed up before the voices in my head could tell me all about how I’m not good enough.
I didn’t feel like I was worth the cost of the monthly membership, why would I invest in myself when I felt so worthless? So the free trial was fine.
The next day, I bought a swimming costume and went to the leisure centre and forced myself to swim as many lengths as I could. I did ten and got out. That’s all I could manage physically and mentally. In the changing rooms I noticed as I got dressed that I felt good. I felt proud of myself and had a rush of happiness. It sounds cheesy but I really did feel different for a little while.
This rush of happiness was enough for me to want more, so I started going swimming regularly over the course of two weeks so I could get my hit of happiness. Around this time I had also distanced myself from toxic friendships so I was feeling pretty lonely. The loneliness didn’t last long though, as I met other people who were trying to better their lives. I got chatting to these people over the course of two weeks and got invited to Aqua classes and outdoor wild swimming with them.
My first class was aqua tai chi. I didn’t know what to expect and I remember feeling so far out of my comfort zone as I went alone and only knew the lady who recommended I come along. That initial uncomfortable feeling didn’t last long and I was soon enjoying trying out a new activity and I felt an even bigger rush when it was over because I had pushed my boundaries in a positive way.
I now attend three aqua classes a week and in between I swim 40 lengths at a time. This means I get regular bits of happiness, I’ve lost weight, I feel positive and I feel a decent level of self worth. I’ve been invited to an outdoor swimming club and I can’t wait to try it as it will have the element of cold water therapy. I’ve met some incredible people along the way, all of whom are good for me to be around because they’re largely in the same boat of wanting to keep busy and better themselves.
I ended up paying for a membership because I AM WORTH IT. My advice to anyone is: take that plunge. It just might change your life.
Swimming and cold water therapy for Mental Health.
Some people go further than just swimming and try cold water therapy and outdoor swimming, due to the even bigger release of endorphins.
When we submerge our body in cold water, blood rushes around to try and keep us warm and this creates excellent blood flow and even a level of pain relief.
Wim Hof also known as “The Iceman”, has become well known for his motivational speaking and his ability to withstand extremely low temperatures. From Wim’s website:
Benefits of cold therapy
Frequent exposure to cold is linked to a number of different health benefits. For example, scientists have found evidence that exposure to cold speeds up metabolism. Another benefit of exposing your body to cold is that it reduces inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles. Therefore, many athletes use ice baths and other types of exposure to cold as a means to speed up recovery after physical exercise. Furthermore, cold body therapy is also linked to improved quality of sleep, more focus, and even an improved immune response.
Cold is an important component of the Wim Hof Method, which is applied in the form of cold showers and ice baths. Participants of the WHM report health benefits that range from higher energy levels to relief of symptoms caused by autoimmune diseases.
(https://www.wimhofmethod.com/cold-therapy)
Of course, very few of us have cold lakes in our back gardens! But that doesn’t mean you can find your own ways to try the benefits of cold water therapy. You can learn the Wim Hof breathing and cold shower techniques for free in a mini class here: