How to start Ice Water Swimming and reasons why you should!

If you are born in Finland, I would say you have tried Ice Water Swimming at least once in your lifetime with a sauna. If you are not a Finn, I would say you think what is wrong with the people in Finland because they swim in ice-cold waters. No matter where you come from or who you are, I will tell you why you should start Ice Water Swimming and how to start it with an easy way.

There are four reasons which I could name from my own experiences

1. I get help to reduce my stress levels (at least I feel so :D)
2. My body and mind learn to adapt with stressful situation in normal life (I don´t panic so easily)
3. My body feels fresh afterwards
4. After the Ice Water Swimming, I realize I can do it -> it gives me strength to believe I am capable of many more things

Those four reasons above improved in me when I started Ice Water Swimming, but there are many resources online where you can find more information and get more familiar with the pros and cons of Ice Water Swimming. I will place some links below for you to check it out which I have found the most interesting.

• Cold Water Swimming – Benefits and risks
• Swimming in Cold water, benefits for body and mind
• 6 Amazing health benefits of Cold Water Swimming

Steps to Start your Ice Water Swimming Journey

For the Ice Water Swimming you may want to have a sauna with you if it´s your first time to try it. It makes it easier to get in the water when your body is extra warm, and when you know, you can go to extra warm, when you get out from the cold water.

Every time you do Ice Water Swimming, you would benefit the most, if you tried to increase your ice water dips and the time you stay in the water and eventually start actually swimming in there.

For example, if you went for the first time and you dipped only once, next time maybe try to dip twice and/or to stay for few more seconds in the water. That is how you slowly but surely start to increase your stays in the ice-cold water, and that´s the way you start increasing the benefits of it too.

If you start the Ice Water Swimming without sauna, you may want to have a shower after it. But it works without the shower as well, just make sure you dry your body well and have warm clothes afterwards.

Whichever way you might choose for you to start Ice Water Swimming, make sure it works for you and you enjoy it. The way what is working for me may not be working for you because we are all different, so it is also your job to make it suitable for yourself.

Last tips

Use a hat, gloves, and socks or shoes!! You may find it easier for you to stay warm, and the road to the ice swimming place can be slippery or sharp, as well the stairs in the water may be super icy to touch after the Ice Water.

And always remember you are doing it on your own responsibility, and you should find the best and the most safe way for yourself to do it!

 

In the next post I will tell you my favorite Ice Water Swimming places and record a video for you to see my morning routine with Ice Water Swimming!

Have a Great week and dip in some Ice Waters!

Best regards,

Ella 😊