I read a BBC article recently, about a woman, 24-years old who swims in cold water to combat depression. This actually worked for her, and she recommended it for others too.
Being a curious kid by birth, I had to research on it and then found out that it’s true! Cold Water Swimming indeed helps in dealing with depression or anxiety condition. But how does it work? Read on to find out!
Can Cold Water swimming treat Depression?
The lady about which we mentioned before is Sarah, and she was prescribed to go for a weekly swimming. This helped her a lot in healing and fighting out a serious health issue like depression.
Sarah had been on the medication since the age of 17, and every time she visits the doc – a new medicine gets added to her routine. She was going through a severe depression condition, along with an anxiety issue. When she turned 24, she delivered a baby and wished to lead a medication-free life.
For the consultation, she met Dr. Van Tulleken, and it was under her guidance when Sarah got introduced to the swimming therapy. Her medicines got replaced with a weekly swimming routine in an open space with the water temperature of 15°C. Sarah kept on following this routine for 4 months, and finally got rid of all the medications.
She once mentioned, that it always felt like being in a chemical of fog while recalling the medication days.
This concept got hit among her friends and other doctors. All of them were surprised looking at the way ‘swimming’ changed Sarah’s health and condition.
There was a journal published on the basis of Sarah’s story, which was co-authored by Dr. Tulleken himself. They have mentioned Sarah’s experience, and why it is necessary to carry out further research on the cold water’s connection with the depression. Also, how the same therapy can work for other patients.
Tips for Safe Swimming in the Cold Water
It’s not as easy as it may sound in the first place. The water should be cold enough to try this. Following are the tips that you can follow while swimming in cold water:
- The important aspect here is the change in the temperature that you will experience as soon as you get into the water. As you feel the temperature decreasing, keep swimming in the water and this will adjust the temperature.
- You should be wearing the right costume or have the correct tools needed for survival. Get a pair of neoprene gloves, booties, wetsuit, etc. Just make sure that they are comfortable and easy on the movements.
- Skip the need to directly jump inside the cold water. Cold Water will cause gasping trouble, and also cold water shocks – which are found to be dangerous.
- If the cold water is in an large open water, then you need to be more careful. Make sure that the entering and exiting space is clear and easy to use for you. Always do the swimming with the presence of one companion.
- Don’t spend too much time in the waters, in case the water temperature drops too low. The swimmers only spend one or two minutes at a time when the water is too cold.
These are the points to be taken care of next time when you are planning to go into Cold-water swimming.
Well, any form of activity especially an exercise helps in strengthening your mind and gives you a positive feeling inside. Have you felt it?
Sarah is now stress-free and also free from all medications. She might be busy swimming 😉