Knowing that winter swimming hardens the body and brings many health benefits is not enough. This alone is not sufficient to convince skeptics to start their adventure with winter swimming. Personality also plays a huge role. Statements that something cannot be done are only an encouragement for a winter swimmer to try. They have a temperament that craves challenges, good fun, and breaks conventional patterns. That's all and that's enough.
Winter swimmers love physical activity, as clearly shown by the past year when we had to stay at home much more than usual. For years, winter swimming has been gaining more and more supporters. When the first winter swimming club was established in Gdańsk in 1975, it gathered only a few enthusiasts who were rather looked upon with a raised eyebrow. Nowadays, one can say that winter swimming has become fashionable. However, it is not the kind of fashion like the trend to wear snow boots one year and not necessarily the next. This fashion requires something more, such as perseverance in enduring strong discomforts. Wearing comfortable shoes does not include that. What does winter swimming give? Above all, winter swimming is healthy, which is especially proven by the growing interest in natural medicine in recent years. The health benefits of this activity are now a fact to such an extent that there are fewer and fewer doubts even regarding children winter swimming.
Looking out the window at the snow-covered fields, it’s easy to imagine that the water is even colder than the snow and frosty air. Yet, watching winter swimmers, we see enthusiasm and smiles on faces flushed from the cold. Why is that? One of the properties of winter swimming is the release of endorphins in the body, the so-called happiness hormones. The mere fact of overcoming fear and one’s own limits is also an important psychological benefit for many. Brief immersion of the body in icy water also has many benefits for our body. Reduction of inflammation especially in the musculoskeletal system, improvement of skin condition, increased immunity, and detoxification of the body are just some of them. All of this happens due to improved blood circulation, which positively affects the cardiovascular system. As a result of the expansion of blood vessels, there is better oxygenation and transport of nutrients in tissues. These tissues regenerate better and eliminate accumulated toxins. Additionally, we strengthen the body, reducing the risk of colds, coughs, and runny noses. So how to start winter swimming?
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First of all, make sure you do not suffer from any medical conditions that would contraindicate this activity, such as heart problems, blood pressure issues, or thyroid disorders. At the beginning, it is worth taking a series of cold showers at home to prepare the body and reduce the shock it will experience in the icy lake. It is also advisable to gradually lower the water temperature and start winter swimming in autumn when the water is a bit warmer. You need to equip yourself with uncomplicated accessories for this activity. Mainly it will be a swimsuit, hat, gloves, and neoprene boots. After leaving the water, you need to dry off quickly and warm up, so towels and a blanket will come in handy. It is worth bringing a robe, especially if the day is windy and you need to quickly protect yourself from the wind. Underwear and clothes to change into, and we can go in.
Easy to say, but biologically we are conditioned to retreat and escape when we feel pain and discomfort on the body. There are no techniques here. Simply after a regular warm-up, which is meant to release larger reserves of heat in our body (so that it lasts longer in the water), we step into the water decisively. The warm-up starts with clothes on and we gradually take off the clothes to enter the water after about 15 minutes. At first, it is enough to submerge for about 30 seconds. And that’s it. Add a thermos with hot tea to your equipment, as it will calm your nerves and warm you quickly right after leaving the water.
If you feel it’s for you, pack your things and look for company. It is an important rule never to winter swim alone and to keep your hands above the water surface because they freeze the fastest and cool our body, just like an uncovered head.
