Maybe it is time to trot out the reasons why it is good to swim in cold water. Here are the reasons I randomly picked from the google search I found. These matters are only generally correct as I particularly noted - with some dissatisfaction - in point 5. But point 4 does explain why everyone is smiling when they exit the water.
- It boosts your immune system
The effects of cold water on the immune system have been studied widely. Cold water helps to boost the white blood cell count because the body is forced to react to changing conditions. Over time, your body becomes better at mobilising its defences.
2. It gives you an endorphin high
Endorphins are what the brain produces to make us feel good about certain activities. Cold water swimming is a form of exercise, and exercise has been proven to help with depression. Cold water swimming brings us close to the pain barrier. Endorphins are released when we’re in pain to help us cope.
3. It enhances your circulation
Cold water swimming flushes your veins, arteries, and capillaries. It forces blood to the surface and pushes the cold downwards. In other words, it helps to warm our extremities. Repeated exposure adapts us to cold.
4. It increases your libido and enhances mood
Cold water was traditionally seen as a way to repress sexual urges. The fact is that it actually increases libido. A dip in some cold water boosts estrogen and testosterone production, adding an edge to fertility and libido.
5. It burns more calories
The heart must pump faster and the body must work harder to keep everything warm while swimming in cold water. Overall, you will burn far more calories than swimming in hotter conditions. The idea that drinking cold water increases the number of calories you burn may be a myth, but it’s a fact that cold water decreases your body temperature so much that the body has to act. It’s no coincidence that cold water swimmers are generally thin.
6. It reduces stress
Stress is a demon in the modern world. When stressful times come, we are woefully unprepared for them. Reducing stress means you will feel better, you will feel more optimistic, and you will be more resilient when stressful times come along.
Cold water swimming places stress on the body physically and mentally. Many studies have told us about the link between cold water and stress reduction. Cold water swimmers are naturally calmer and more relaxed. They are stronger in the face of adversity.
Management notices
B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 9th August 2022
At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday August 9th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, the guest speaker will be Tim Andrews. Tim is an actuary and a leading international expert in measuring and assessing the risks arising from floods, storms and bushfires. Increasingly, there is an urgent need to understand how climate change is affecting the risks from natural hazards in Australia. In 2019 Tim was named the Australian Actuary of the Year for his work in leading the development of the Actuaries Climate Risk Index, an objective measure of extreme weather conditions and changes to sea levels. Come along to find out what the numbers are actually telling us about the climate and its potential impact on the B&B in the future.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $35 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.
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