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Cold Water Swimming - Mental Health
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I have been reading a bit about the effects of regular cold water swimming on mental health and on stress levels.
Do any of yous do this, or tried it and it didn't really make any difference? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I started doing it last year. Only managed 3 times, but it is definitely on my list to start again in the next few weeks.
I found it exhilerating and, in a strange way, peaceful. I would recommend it as it gives such a feeling of freedom.
I never bothered with a wet suit. I just wear a swimming costume.
But be sure to never go out alone and follow all the recommended safety rules like wearing a float etc.
Good luck  |
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I started at the beginning of the 1st lockdown, with everyone else that did the same. I'm still doing it and try to swim at least once a week. I find it great for body and mind and find it somewhat addictive. I go to a busy enough spot so always someone there if I'm swimming one and a great place to meet people. Like walkers, swimmers are chatty and friendly. I definitely recommend. And for those who like to shop, there are dry robes and wetsuits and everything. (Not necessarily needed though) Lol |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Thanks for the responses.
I do swim in the sea during the summer at popular spots in south Dublin.
I'm hoping to start again in January as soon as I get over this cold that I have.  |
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"Thanks for the responses.
I do swim in the sea during the summer at popular spots in south Dublin.
I'm hoping to start again in January as soon as I get over this cold that I have. "
I think it does wonders for my head, had three short dips over Christmas but I've been in nearly every week so be very careful starting in Jan, water is still getting colder up to March when it turns again. Few tips below.
1.Bring a hot drink and a snack for after
2. Get out before you start to really shiver / feel the cold
3. Get changed quickly, upper body first lots of layers
4. Have a spare towel to stand on, feet get freezing
5.if you can bring lukewarm water to pour over your feet.
And lastly enjoy the feeling and sights and sounds of it  |
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I've been wanting to try this for a while but haven't had the courage. There seems to be a lot of groups doing it together. I think I may need stength in numbers so I don't back out. Do you go alone or with a group? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"
I think it does wonders for my head, had three short dips over Christmas but I've been in nearly every week so be very careful starting in Jan, water is still getting colder up to March when it turns again. Few tips below.
1.Bring a hot drink and a snack for after
2. Get out before you start to really shiver / feel the cold
3. Get changed quickly, upper body first lots of layers
4. Have a spare towel to stand on, feet get freezing
5.if you can bring lukewarm water to pour over your feet.
And lastly enjoy the feeling and sights and sounds of it "
Great tips. Thanks a million.
I plan to go alone but there will be people there, I assume, because it's a popular spot all year around - Vico baths. |
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Swimming will give you a lift anytime of the year, as a previous poster said, get dried off as soon as you come out, if you have old runners or sandels to put on while drying, it helps to prevent your feet from getting too cold, and put a fleece hat on as soon as possible also |
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By *rkkidMan
over a year ago
Cork |
Really enjoy and do miss it when I'm not able to go.
I normally go with 1 or more. For me tis a great activity to do with a friends. Great laugh seeing people's faces n the first reaction when their toe hits the water..
I try go twice per week in the evenings. Sun, rain, hail or snow.
This time of year I'd do be in and out in around 10/15mins.
But tis a great feeling after and even getting in
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By *rkkidMan
over a year ago
Cork |
"Just turn the shower to the blue side and same thing
Run the shower at 10 degrees and you'll go flying and end up at A&E 
"
But on the other hand you mind end up with a cute nurse thinking your so brave
Maybe a win win |
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"Would guys be prepared to take dic pics after they come out of the cold water to compare with their profile pics. 
Lol, my profile pic, and that was summer time on the Waterford Riviera "
That's the Sunny South East, on the Cold Atlantic Way that would simply vanish, summer or winter. Lol |
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"
And lastly enjoy the feeling and sights and sounds of it
Where do you go, Bikerbean?"
Wherever I can, Killiney, Whiterock Beach, Seapoint, Sandycove, Malahide so on. Haven't been to vico for awhile, lovely spot though.
Good luck. |
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"This is something I'd really like to try. I do admire watching those that do."
It's just a mind over matter battle, even if you only get in for a few seconds the first time, it never feels as bad the second time. You'll be surprised at yourself. |
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"I've been wanting to try this for a while but haven't had the courage. There seems to be a lot of groups doing it together. I think I may need stength in numbers so I don't back out. Do you go alone or with a group?"
I go alone or with pals. Just find one pal for moral support and go for it. There'll be loads of randomers there for support too when you go, don't need to find a group |
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By *oghunter33Woman
over a year ago
on the hill NordWest of |
I need a Sauna in combo with the cold water swimming. That's what I grow up with, and yes utterly relaxing, invigorating and de-stressing.
However I've yet to find a Sauna straight at the sea here in Ireland...
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"I need a Sauna in combo with the cold water swimming. That's what I grow up with, and yes utterly relaxing, invigorating and de-stressing.
However I've yet to find a Sauna straight at the sea here in Ireland...
"
there is one at my local beach most of the year, hard enough to get a booking, everyone enjoying it. |
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"I need a Sauna in combo with the cold water swimming. That's what I grow up with, and yes utterly relaxing, invigorating and de-stressing.
However I've yet to find a Sauna straight at the sea here in Ireland...
"
Google, "Saltee Sauna" near Kilmore Quay, Wexford |
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By *ateniteCouple
over a year ago
Youghal |
"I need a Sauna in combo with the cold water swimming. That's what I grow up with, and yes utterly relaxing, invigorating and de-stressing.
However I've yet to find a Sauna straight at the sea here in Ireland...
"
There's one at Redbarn beach in Cork....bit of a trek from Dublin though |
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By *ateniteCouple
over a year ago
Youghal |
We go regular in Youghal. Not sure of the benefits but it certainly feels exhilarating when you get out and start to warm up.
We only live 2mins from the beach so we can get a hit shower almost straight away. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Swim shoes/ Aqua shoes are the best bit of kit to have. They will buffer the initial cold shock and protect your feet from dangers in the water 
I find outdoor swims brilliant for endorphins and also that connection with nature is so good for the soul. |
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"There's a guy knocking about with a black van looking to start something.... you should hit him up, join forces "
Only if your handy with rope though, he's stuck in a dyke in a ditch or something, and needs pulling out |
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By *oserMan
over a year ago
where the wild roses grow |
Some good suggestions above
My go to's are
Neoprene hat and socks at this time of year AND
The best tip I got when I started out was swim to match the water temperature
If its 10degrees swim for 10mins
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All good advice, I wear a rubber swim hat and currently a wooly one over it, dead sexy. And as much as I'd love to last a mon per degree, when your fingers and toes are sore, get the hell out. Lol temps currently about 10', I'm in about 4 mins. I'd say though if I could get in the water every day, I'd last longer. |
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I always wear two rubber hats , right job , swim like mad for thirty strokes then relax. I never go out of my depth on the winter ( or when swimming alone). Always in togs . Cup of tea, get dressed super quick when you get out then you’re grand fir the rest of the day ! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Ask Mehole Martin if its good for mental health.
He was in for a dip down in Cork the other day,and amazingly a camera crew and photographer just happened to be there,to take all these lovely photos of him.... . |
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I feel like getting into the sea in my skin is more likely to give me mental health issues and physical health issues than to help with any. Not to mention what it'd do for sexual health issues. Be like a stick of pennies. There'd be need for some serious warming up afterwards |
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"I feel like getting into the sea in my skin is more likely to give me mental health issues and physical health issues than to help with any. Not to mention what it'd do for sexual health issues. Be like a stick of pennies. There'd be need for some serious warming up afterwards"
Lol hubby is of the same opinion |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I used to do it a fair bit year round, there’s something very very peaceful about it, racially around winter when the popular spots are nice and quiet.
The science does show it helps reset the nervous system too so it can and does reduce stress. |
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This thread reminds me of the Billy Connolly story about walking near the Clyde and seeing a guy skinny dipping in the middle of winter. He had a huge knob that was knocking against his kneecap as he came out of the water and Billy couldn't help pointing and commenting.
The guy got annoyed and said wtf are you looking at? Yours would shrivel up in the cold too. |
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Lots of great research and studies are showing the benefits of cold exposure. I won't bore you with the nitty gritty science, but yes it's good for you.
It sounds like old snake oil salesmen talk, but intense cold exposure can help change your brown fat to brownish/white fat. Which is readily used by the body
That and it has a bunch of other hormone, sleep and nervous system related benefits.
The sea is extra cold this year even for the seasoned veterans. I'd say it would almost put you off doing it regularly. So if you're just trying to get your feet wet, excuse the pun  , you can start by doing it in the shower. Do your usual hot shower stuff. Then at the end, do your 1 minute cold exposure and control your breathing.
The sea is a lot more intense, but if you're brave enough, go for it! Bring a floatie if you're not 100% confident in your swimming because sometimes there's a lot of people trying to get in by the only steps that you can get out of.
Dr. Andrew Huberman has a lot of extensive knowledge about this topic, his podcast is called "The Huberman" podcast. |
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"I have been reading a bit about the effects of regular cold water swimming on mental health and on stress levels.
Do any of yous do this, or tried it and it didn't really make any difference?"
Ya I try to go out weekly & if not end my daily shower on cold for 5 or so minutes.
Yes it's great for mental health & stretching your stress levels when you use breath work. I'm using it to increase testosterone.. after testing my i've discovered my testosterone has been converting to oestrogen, leaving depleted of free testosterone.. it has been helping hugely along with other things |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I have been reading a bit about the effects of regular cold water swimming on mental health and on stress levels.
Do any of yous do this, or tried it and it didn't really make any difference?
Ya I try to go out weekly & if not end my daily shower on cold for 5 or so minutes.
Yes it's great for mental health & stretching your stress levels when you use breath work. I'm using it to increase testosterone.. after testing my i've discovered my testosterone has been converting to oestrogen, leaving depleted of free testosterone.. it has been helping hugely along with other things "
very interesting. I try to swim every week too. I didn't ever feel any chemical improvements but mentally I find it excellent |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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You mentioned you had a cold . I find with cold water swims ,lakes are good too , you don't tend to catch a cold .
" To fight the cold , you must use it's weapons against it" take the plunge it does sort the head out |
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By *3earMan
over a year ago
Dublin |
I swim regularly in the sea all year round and it does make a difference for me stress wise i think its a great way of relaxing and after i feel better head wise and physically and always have. |
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