Take The Plunge

Cold-water swimming is one of this summer’s biggest fitness trends. But it does more than streamline your body, here’s how it can boost your mental health

- Sarah Sellens

As you drag yourself out of bed early to do laps of the local pool, it may provide comfort to know that swimming doesn’t only benefit your body – a bank of science shows it also boosts mental health. In fact, a 2018 YouGov poll, commissioned by Swim England, says 1.4 million Brits have experienced a reduction in anxiety or depression symptoms thanks to the activity. And of those surveyed, an impressive 490,000 people have reduced or no longer take mental health medication as a result of paddling in the pool.

MAKING A SPLASH

The numbers speak for themselves but, recently, one particular type of swimming has come to the fore as the prevailing way to remedy the mind – cold water swimming. It may sound a bit chilly, but experts extoll the benefits that an icy dip can have on mental health. ‘Growing evidence suggests that regular immersion in cold water, for as little as five minutes, can do wondrous things,’ says Beth French, channel swimmer, and star of documentary Against the Tides (bethfrench.co.uk). ‘It helps treat depression and anxiety, reduces stress, gives you an endorphin high, builds mental fortitude and even improves your libido!’