The Benefits of Cold Water

LAST SWIM OF 2024:

Friday 20th December / 7.30 - 9am / Clevedon Marine Lake 

We've been carrying out our Monthly TrueStart Dips for almost two years now and those Friday mornings are some of our very favourites.

We bring our truck Sunny to the lakeside car park and hand out free delicious coffees for the brave dippers, bringing along cosy red changing robes for anyone who needs one!

But, why do we do it? What are the benefits of cold water swimming? Why do our community come along?

Let's dive into exactly why we love our cold water dips for both our minds + our bodies, and we think you would too..

1. Boosts Your Immune System: Cold water swimming has long been associated with strengthening the immune system. The shock of cold water on the body stimulates the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections. Regular exposure to cold water may help make your immune system more resilient, potentially reducing the frequency of colds and other illnesses.

2. Enhances Blood Circulation: The cold water causes blood vessels to constrict, which in turn improves circulation. This increased circulation can benefit overall cardiovascular health, aiding in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs.

3. It's Magic on Stress & Anxiety: There's something uniquely calming about immersing yourself in cold water. The shock to the system triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters, leading to a sense of euphoria and relaxation, especially after you're out. Cold water swimming has been linked to reduced levels of stress and anxiety and we're here to make you happier & healthier.

4. Improves Your Mental Resilience: Stepping into cold water requires a certain level of mental fortitude. Over time, regular exposure to the discomfort of cold water can help build mental resilience and discipline. It teaches you to embrace discomfort, adapt to challenging situations, and emerge stronger on the other side, both in and out of the water - our team have certainly noticed the benefits both at home & at work.

5. Promotes Muscle Recovery: Athletes have long used cold water immersion as a means of aiding recovery after intense workouts - just check out how many athletes use ice baths like LUMI. The cold water helps reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, providing relief from soreness and speeding up the recovery process. 

6. Increases Metabolism: Cold water swimming activates brown fat, a type of fat tissue that generates heat to keep your body warm, hence why you have to warm up your body with hot coffee / tea afterwards. But as your body works to maintain its core temperature in cold water, it burns more calories improving your metabolic function over time.

7. Brings You Back to Nature: There's a profound sense of connection that comes from immersing yourself in nature, whether that's woods, mountains parks, or in this case; in bodies of water. Cold water swimming offers an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle & bustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. We're incredibly lucky to be able to access a marine lake just 20 minutes outside of the city but any body of cold water outside will have that similar feeling of connection.

Whether you're swimming in a lake / river / ocean, dipping in an ice bath or even popping cold shower each immersion becomes a chance to appreciate the beauty of the environment around you.

Plus, Andrew Huberman (prof of Neurobiology) notes that if you have a coffee / other source of caffeine, before immersing yourself in cold water your dopamine receptors will increase. In simple terms, you will feel the effects of the "happy hormone" more intensely & for longer and we all love to feel happier! 

We know cold water dipping may not be for everyone and accessing spots can be tricky depending on where you live & physical ability but perhaps starting with a cold shower will be your gateway.

The mental & physical benefits of cold water swimming extend far beyond the initial shock of the cold, especially when you're heading to our truck Sunny for a hot coffee afterwards.. 

If you're interested in joining us at Clevedon Marine Lake but want to have a chat about anything before hand or have any questions please email India (india@truestartcoffee.com) and she'd love to help!

We can't wait to be diving in with you soon :)