What is winter bathing good for?

Because if you stay in the water for too long, you can get hypothermia, which is a dangerous cooling of the body, and that's certainly not good. However, you need to be in the water for a much longer time than intended for winter bathing. So, how do you winter bathe correctly? And what equipment do you need? We will now provide you with valuable insights.

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Is winter bathing healthy?

The short answer is 'yes, it is healthy,' but this is largely due to the various mechanisms that occur in the body when you immerse yourself in the water and come out again. The effects of winter bathing mainly revolve around the cold shock the body is exposed to and the reward the brain provides when you emerge from the water.

You'll gain more insight into this when a doctor with experience in winter bathing shares their perspective on the cold thrill. So when it comes to facts about winter bathing, it's essential to focus on what actually happens in the body.

When you immerse the body in cold water, the blood vessels in the arms and legs contract, redirecting the blood into the body to protect the organs. This causes blood pressure to rise, and the heart beats faster as the brain attempts to protect the body from "danger." When you emerge from the water and warm up again, the blood vessels in the arms and legs expand, and the blood flows out again.

This results in an immense feeling of warmth, contributing to a sense of well-being. Meanwhile, throughout this process, the brain releases a variety of neurotransmitters that cause blood vessels to contract and expand. Among these substances is dopamine, also known as the happiness hormone. This is why it feels pleasant when you emerge from the water. Therefore, winter bathing can also be considered exercise for the circulatory system.

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Important to Prioritize Safety

As winter bathing may seem like an extreme sport for the body, it's crucial to prioritize safety during the activity. Firstly, it's important not to stay in the water for too long, as prolonged exposure can lead to body cooling. However, if you stick to quick dips, there is rarely any danger involved.

This is one reason why winter bathing does not, for the most part, have an age limit. As long as you don't have significantly elevated blood pressure or serious heart problems, you're generally 'safe.' However, if it's your first time trying winter bathing, it's essential to be familiar with safety guidelines from the Council for Greater Bathing and Water Safety to prevent accidents.

Stay Informed about Weather Conditions - The water should ideally be calm without too much wind or storms. If the water is too turbulent or the current is too strong, it can be challenging to resurface. Additionally, excessive wind can cool the body when on land.
Always Bathe with Others - Unless you're a highly experienced winter bather who frequents the same location, it's crucial to have others present when taking a plunge. This is your safety net in case of any mishaps.
Watch Out for Slippery Surfaces - Bathing bridges and stairs can be covered with snow and ice, increasing the risk of slipping. Using swim shoes provides better traction and helps retain heat around the feet.
Lower the Body Slowly into the Water - Since you subject the body to a cold shock, it's essential to give it a chance to react to the cold water.
Maintain Calm Breathing - Although it may be tempting to breathe quickly in the water, it's crucial to maintain a calm breathing. Otherwise, there's a risk of hyperventilation and fainting in the water.
Never Swim under Ice - Due to the ease of losing orientation in the cold water, it can be dangerous to dive under ice, as finding the open water again can be challenging.
Don't Swim Far from the Stairs - It's essential to be able to resurface quickly, so staying close to the exit point is crucial. Always ensure you're near a place where you can get out of the water

Furthermore, it's important to acclimate to the cold water gradually, keeping in mind that even the most experienced winter bathers are only in the water for 10-20 seconds at a time.

If you have a good grasp of the various advice and facts about winter bathing, you're more or less ready to take the plunge. However, it's crucial to have the right equipment as well to ensure the optimal bodily experience.

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What equipment do you need for winter bathing?

To have the full experience, there's some equipment you should ideally have in order. This is particularly important to quickly warm up as soon as you come out of the water. That's why many winter bathing clubs have saunas nearby. However, you can quickly protect your body and warm up with various winter bathing gear:

Winter Bathing Robe or Poncho: The best way to dry the skin of water and quickly warm up. This can be achieved with either a winter bathing robe or a poncho. The advantage of these is that they cover the body better than a towel, and you have your hands free. It's also recommended to have a towel for more efficient drying.
Winter Swim Shoes: There are many benefits to a pair of winter swim shoes as they provide good traction on slippery surfaces covered with ice and snow. They also help to quickly restore warmth to the legs and feet, which take the longest to heat up again. If you're not a fan of swim shoes, a pair of neoprene socks for winter bathing can also be useful.
Neoprene Gloves for Winter Bathing: Similar to the feet, hands lose heat quickly and take the longest to warm up. A pair of neoprene gloves will help with this and provide a non-slip grip on bathing steps and slippery surfaces.

If you're not one of those who jumps into the cold water naked, you can, of course, use regular swimwear. However, if you need a little extra warmth and buoyancy around the hip region, a pair of neoprene swim trunks would be a great idea.

With the right equipment, winter bathing becomes both easier and more comfortable.

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Why should one winter bathe?

Winter bathing can contribute to a mental boost of well-being, similar to the feeling after a long run. However, there are conflicting scientific arguments regarding the physical beneficial effects. Therefore, you may come across articles contradicting the physical benefits of winter bathing, while others claim it is healthy for the entire body.

However, there is a broad consensus that winter bathing is good for mental health, especially if you ask both experienced and new winter bathers. Despite the uncertainty, there is evidence that winter bathers are less prone to illnesses, including respiratory infections.

So, if you think it's something for you, just go for it. One thing everyone agrees on is that winter bathing is not unhealthy for the body. On the contrary, there's a lot of evidence suggesting the opposite.