Over the last few years we have seen so many wellness fads come and go, including many that have us venturing out into nature, and one in particular, which has really taken off, is swimming in freezing cold water. Although sceptics might turn their nose up at it as nothing more than a passing trend, cold water swimming has actually been around for years, and its benefits have been proven more than once by scientific research carried out by science experts in many different fields. Mark Harper, an English anaesthesiologist, is one such scientist, and his book Chill: The Cold Water Swim Cure, made a noteworthy contribution to the diffusion of this unusual hobby.
The book begins by introducing the benefits of swimming in cold water (meaning at a temperature of 20° or below) with medical testimonies from Dr. Richard Russell, dating all the way back to the eighteenth century, and ends with his own proven and personal research on the subject. His studies and observations led him to the conclusion that regular cold water swimming can produce both physical and mental health benefits. It reduces inflammation, reduces high blood pressure and soothes chronic pain caused by many different diseases. It can also help with weight loss, as well as improving the quality of your sleep. The effects of cold water swimming are then significantly enhanced when combined with a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Let’s not kid ourselves; cold water swimming is no miracle cure. Research is still in its infancy, and scientific proof of the benefits is still somewhat sparse. What the findings do show is the positive impact on the body triggered by direct contact with cold water, and the motivational power of cold water swimming as an activity in itself (as well as a knock on effect in other areas). The author tells us that these effects fall into three categories, namely re-orientation, transformation and connection. In the book, the author analyses these three categories in detail, including direct testimonies provided by people suffering from various medical conditions, and the improvements they made following regular cold water dips.
So, the book begins by introducing cutting-edge science to help bring in the sceptics who still see cold water swimming as a DIY health solution. Dr Harper is also at pains to acknowledge the limitations of the research, thus presenting as unbiased a point of view as possible.
