The Benefits of Cold Water Swimming and How to Stay Safe

Shutterstock // Inga Gedrovicha

From rivers and lakes and even to the ocean, thousands of people have started to discover the benefits of cold water swimming. Swimming is not just an enjoyable pastime; it can also help to strengthen muscles, prevent strains, and help people lose weight. Here are some of the benefits of cold water swimming and how to do it safely.

Benefits of Cold Water Swimming

Cold water swimming, which is often known as open water swimming or wild swimming, is an excellent way to stay in shape. Swimming for just 30 minutes each week can even help to stave off strokes, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

It can also significantly improve muscle strength and reduce inflammation. Cold water will help to increase your calorie burn rate. In addition to burning calories, it’s great for your mental health, with many describing the need to control your breath as a form of meditation. Cold water swimming triggers your “happy hormones” just like other forms of exercise do.

Less Stressful Than Running

Runners place a great deal of stress on their feet and knees. With each rhythmic slap of their feet on the sidewalk, the shock wave reverberates up their legs, which places more stress on their muscles and bones. Cold water swimming, or any form of swimming, doesn’t do this. The buoyancy of the water supports your body and you aren’t fighting against gravity.

Shutterstock // Inga Gedrovicha

Over time, cold water swimming exposure redirects your blood flow to the vital organs and encourages your body to circulate blood more effectively. However, please note that this type of swimming is very different from using a pool, so you should never swim alone. Cramps can catch most people unaware, and this is when you may get into trouble if you are on your own. Bring a spotter with you if no one else wants to swim.

100-Year-Old Woman Says Her Secret to a Long Life Is Not Talking to Strange Men

Everyone has always searched for the secret to a long and happy life, and now the secret is out. A 100-year-old woman has shared with us how she has lived to such a fantastic age with a smile on her face the whole time. As it turns out, it’s not what most people figured! Many of us think the secret to a long life is having a healthy diet and perhaps a nice luxurious cruise. But we were all wrong!

100-year-old Olive Westerman

The True Secret to a Happy Life

Olive Westerman recently celebrated her birthday as a 100-year-old woman and shared her secret for a long life. Olive shared her story about traveling with her late husband, Sam, and all their adventures. She said she lived away from England and visited many destinations, and yet her secret is never to speak to strange men.

Her Favorite Destination

Olive Westerman shares that throughout her travels, her favorite place to visit was Singapore. She lived there for three years, and it was the place where she met her husband. They started chatting one Sunday morning and instantly hit it off. All their adventures began from there, as she shared, on her milestone birthday. She says that what she loved most about her late husband was his kind, gentle nature and how he was always ready to help others in need.

Singapore

The 100-Year-Old Shares Happy Memories

Olive shared that working helped keep her young at heart. She explains how much she loved working with children and how they helped her maintain a young heart and fresh spirit. Now living in the Deewater Grange residential home in Chester, she says she can’t believe she is 100, but working with children for so long has kept her young at heart.

Olive and others from the Deewater Grange residential home.

100-year-old Olive had a lovely time celebrating her milestone birthday with friends at the residential home. The staff gifted her Estee Lauder perfume, which her late husband gave her every year. The woman’s secret to a happy life certainly puts things into perspective!