Ice Swimming Benefits and Helenemoo's Winter Bathing

Ice swimming is less a winter sport than a frozen tundra ritual. As shown in the visuals of the video, user helenemoo immerses themselves in a hole in a Norwegian lake. There's a sharp glow and flash of blue, pulled by gravity toward the crispness. The swimmer glides past ice chunks. The cold never bothered her anyway. What is ice swimming Ice swimming is exactly what it sounds like: swimming in icy waters. It's more than a freezing dip, though — aficionados emphasize the mental calm the activity brings. There are different types: In some cases, swimmers stay stationary and the body heats itself up. In others, the swimmer moves through the ice. Each type aims to harness the power of the polar plunge. The sport emphasizes the changing seasons, layering deep blue water with winter's stark white. Ice swimming carries an elemental force, from the thin line between the frozen and liquid. There's nothing else like the sensation of ice water, a cold shock that feels like a thousand needles. This kind of winter bathing has made a big splash in recent years. More people are experimenting with cold exposure, seeking benefits like the improved mental health from a hobby linked to the icy outdoors. However, many people would recoil from the very idea. How can a body handle the temperature? What if someone gets hurt? Is it worth the risk?

Full immersion: health benefits of an ice plunge

The cold never bothered helenemoo because getting in the water is its own reward. Ice swimming offers a range of health benefits. It enhances blood circulation, boosts immunity, and aids in muscle recovery. The mind-body connection is another crystalline advantage. One Arabic saying goes: "Cold water, hot spirit."

Ice swimming's Viking origins

Ice swimming is not new, though the modern form evolved in Norway. People have been swimming in icy waters for hundreds of years for a reason. The Norwegians gaze out on their lakes and see a vast playground. In the 1950s, groups of people began gathering for swimming in icy waters. It was then that the modern sport emerged as a phenomenon.

Mental benefits — the cold is an elemental force

The stripped-down experience of ice swimming allows the experience of a pure, elemental feeling of coldness. It also brings a particular edge of anxiety — an alertness to the freezing conditions.

Physical rewards

In a study of cold-water swimmers, swimmers experienced improved psychological well-being. The study's lead author suggested that this was explained by the cold's impact on the body and its effects on neurotransmitters that impact mood regulation. The bitter cold also magnifies the sense of achievement. When done safely, the feeling of accomplishment is invigorating. The primal technique takes the swimmer back to basics, with the blood, lungs, and brain all working together.

Practical advice for the cold curious

Do not jump into the lake headfirst, though. Anyone curious about the possibilities of ice swimming should know that the activity requires caution.

• Wear a Wetsuit: Wearing a wetsuit is the best way to stay warm. Make sure to wear gloves and booties, too. When you're not wearing a wetsuit, it's best to wear wool or synthetic clothing instead of cotton. Wool and synthetic fibers are good insulators and dry quickly.
• Find a buddy: Always go with someone else (or if you swim alone, let all your friends know both when and where you entered. If you're swimming in a remote area, alone, swim in a wet or dry suit with an extra layer, or two. Always have your cell phone in a watertight case.
• Acclimating to the temperature: Before diving in, walk along the beach and let your body adjust to the wind and cold temperatures. Then, ease yourself into the water
• Start slow: Start with shallow water and test the environment. Do not jump immediately into deep water.
• Ease out: Don't stay too long in the water. Take breaks to warm yourself. If you feel tired or too cold, get out immediately.

Take the plunge

I'm not a fan of the cold. Trickling water reminds me of those icy pangs while wading through cold stream water. I have no desire to stay in the water long, and it takes some time to get acclimated to the elements around me. Yet, swimming in icy waters provides a chance to breathe fresh air. Cold water keeps the body's stress hormones in check. Some studies have shown that the cold helps with muscle recovery and circulation.