Does cold water swimming really make you feel good?

Here’s what I discovered during my first dip into wild swimming

My interest in anything non-medicinal that’s meant to be good for the mind, body and soul has only grown as I get older. Part of it is a curiosity to try new things and push myself out of my comfort zone. Part of it is a renewed push to feel healthier as I get older and can’t ignore those niggly aches and pains that have crept up out of nowhere!

Wild swimming has been on my radar for a while. As has the much talked about health benefits of hot to cold experiences. But, for me personally, as with most things in life I get the idea in my head a while before I decide to actually do something about it. And as someone who absolutely hates the cold, it was one idea that I just kept putting off. The spur I needed for this ‘event’ was a buddy, someone who had the experience and would coach me into the water when I inevitably chickened out on the day.

This person turned out to be an ex-work colleague who I’d met during a stint at a mental health charity. She was a cold-water swimming regular; it was something she’d done for years so I knew she’d give me the push I needed to brave the less-than-friendly water temperature. Sure enough, as soon as I mentioned it to her, she suggested one of her favourite wild swimming spots and the date was set.  

Dip day had arrived – where we did our wild swim

Arriving at Pool Bridge Farm near York, I knew I had been spoilt for my first dip. For starters, the weather gods were on my side, with the sun beaming down on the day. Secondly the setting could not have been more beautiful. Pool Bridge Farm is an idyllic place. Think Mary Poppins (the original film) where Dick Van Dyke’s character Bert takes the family into his paintings. It is all weeping willow trees, lush greenery and sparkling blue lakes, just stunning. The cold water *almost* looked inviting…

Hot and cold water experience

We treated ourselves to a sauna booking. Partly because I wanted to try going from hot to cold and partly because I needed the fallback of retreating to the warm comfort blanket of the sauna if the cold got too much. There are a few saunas to choose from, but we picked Steamy Sky View Machiney, their newest addition and the only one with glass roof panels that lets you enjoy sky as well as lake views. It sits on the side of M lake which was stunning. But none of the lakes would disappoint here anyway, as a little stroll around after showed me. Possibly the most gorgeous was the tranquil Monet Lake, with lily pads inspiring its name.

Taking the plunge

The time had come, with the water being a ‘lovely’ (apparently) 12 degrees, I went for a swimming costume rather than wetsuit but wore neoprene gloves and socks for the extremities. We started with a few minutes in the sauna then came out to the lake. One very slow step at a time I finally found myself with the cool water at waist height, my legs already feeling a bit numb. At this point I’m still clinging onto the wooden rails of the little slipway that eases you into the lake. There was a platform to jump off too – maybe next time! I steadied my breath then lowered my shoulders down into the water and pushed off into the lake. I don’t know if the exhilarating feeling came from the temperature or from the fact I’d finally braved it. Either way I was surprised it felt so good! As a first-time dipper, you’re advised not to linger in the water for ages, so we came out and went straight to the sauna. That first cold-water dip was only around two minutes long, but the warm hug of the sauna was definitely welcome. After that we alternated between the cold and the hot for the next hour, ending with one last relax in the sauna before our timeslot finished. Each dip got easier, and I found myself actually wanting to go back into the water for another short swim.

So how did I feel after my first cold water swimming experience?

Amazing actually. The swimming itself did calm my mind, with the cold not letting me think about anything else. With my nerves washed away, I was able to enjoy the tranquillity of the lake and the gorgeous surroundings. Afterwards, I could really feel the effect of those happy endorphins along with a boost of energy. This very quickly turned into hunger, so I was pleased there was a café onsite, and that the food on offer was delicious! I wolfed down a cheese scone followed by a slab of cake. Later that day my body started to feel tired, almost as if I’d done a good workout that morning and I found I slept well that night too.

My first cold water experience was a lovely one and really surpassed my expectations. Am I a wild swimming convert? Yes, I’d say so, I haven’t done a second dip yet but it’s something I’d be really looking forward to next time. No nerves in sight.