Swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the U.S., and there are numerous health benefits of swimming. Sure, you may think of jumping in a pool to cool off during the hot days of summer, but what about cold water swimming?

If you are thinking about taking the plunge into that cold water, you should know that there are many benefits of cold water swimming. Wondering what they are? Keep reading to find out why you should take that plunge.

Boost Your Immune System

Coldwater helps boost your body’s white blood cell count as it is forced to adjust and react to the changing conditions. This helps your body activate its defences better over time.

Reduce Stress

One of the biggest benefits reported of cold water swimming is boosting people’s moods and reducing stress. Why is this? One theory says that regular exposure to cold water reduces our reactions to stress and makes our body and mind more resilient to external stressors.

Coldwater may be an anti-inflammatory to our bodies that also helps improve our physical and mental health. Interested in looking for houses with pools for sale? You can swim all year and reduce stress.

Improve Your Circulation

When you jump into cold water, your body starts to send more blood to the vessels near your skin and your organs to protect them from the extreme cold. If you jump into a sauna or hot tub afterwards, the blood flows outward and can improve your complexion. If you do repeated exposure to cold water, you can adapt to the cold quickly.

Get a Natural High

When you start swimming in cold water, your body releases endorphins. This chemical in your brain makes you feel good. Coldwater swimming also is a form of exercise that can help with energy, mood, depression, and mental clarity.

Burn Calories

Your heart will pump faster in the cold water. Your body also works harder in colder water while swimming. Coldwater decreases your body’s temperature, so your body must react. This helps you burn more calories quickly.

Did you know that you can burn 100 calories if you shiver for 15 minutes? Cold weather helps your body burn more calories, and the same is true with cold water swimming.

Reduce Pain

Those that suffer from chronic pain with conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis may find relief with cold water swimming. The cold water numbs our body—think about applying an ice pack.

The endorphins help your body feel pain relief, so a quick swim in the cold water may provide relief for chronic pain suffers for hours.

Explore the Benefits of Cold Water Swimming

If you are looking for something fun to do on colder days, you should try cold water swimming.  As you can see, there are many benefits of cold water swimming like improving your mood, reducing pain, burning calories, and boosting your immune system.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, keep exploring our site for more insightful articles on a variety of topics.

The post Your Guide to the Rejuvenating Benefits of Cold Water Swimming appeared first on Wizard Journal.