Five Great Reasons to Swim in the Cold Ocean

Do you enjoy swimming in the cold, refreshing ocean regularly? If so, it probably means you're lucky enough to live near the shore. If not, perhaps you should ensure regular beach vacations are a part of your life. Humanity has known about the health benefits of swimming in the ocean for thousands of years. The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, encouraged others to take advantage of the health benefits that bathing in seawater can offer. Here are a few reasons to swim in the cold ocean as often as possible:

Beautiful Skin

Have you ever observed the positive impact a swim in the ocean has on your skin?

The sea is rich in natural minerals. For example, ocean water contains sulfur, sodium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Many people pay good money for skin lotions that contain such ingredients. You can enjoy the benefits of such minerals and skin health for free if you regularly bathe in the ocean. Swimming in the ocean may also be therapeutic for people who suffer from particular skin conditions. For example, regular sun exposure and bathing in salty water can provide people living with psoriasis with significant remission from their condition.

Moreover, bathing in the ocean may help those suffering from acne. That's because salt has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

However, before you jump into the ocean for a dip to improve your skin, take a few precautions. If the weather is warm, protect your skin against the sun's damaging rays with a good quality sunscreen. Also, consider that humans are polluting the oceans and seas with various poisons. Therefore, swimming in the ocean is not good if you have any open wounds. It's wise to shower as soon as you can after swimming in the sea.

Improved Mental Health

Swimming in the cold water of the ocean regularly can be brilliant for your mental health. This is because exposure to cold water releases three mood-boosting hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones are dopamine, noradrenaline, and endorphins. Higher levels of such hormones can help to treat depression symptoms.

Exposure to cold water via ocean bathing can also help with the practice of mindfulness, as evidenced by Dutch journalist Wim Hof. Hof regularly endures frigid temperatures. He claims regular exposure to colder temperatures will reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and give you more energy.

How can exposing your body to the cold via an ocean swim help with mindfulness? People who practice mindfulness strive to live in the present moment rather than thinking about the past or the future. If you're physically cold, it's rather challenging to think about anything other than the icy temperature you're experiencing.

Better Circulation

Swimming in the frigid ocean regularly can also improve your blood circulation. Hydrotherapy employing exposure to cold temperatures results in increased blood flow to the tissues beneath the sites of cold exposure. Poor circulation can lead to serious health complications, including heart failure, stroke, blood clots, and ulcers. With this in mind, why not improve your circulation by swimming in the cold ocean whenever possible?

Increased Immunity

When your body is exposed to the ocean's cold water, it causes a stress reaction. This stress reaction can trigger the production of extra white blood cells, namely monocytes and lymphocytes.

Recent and ongoing world events prove that humans risk harm from various pathogens. To fight off potentially dangerous illnesses, you need a healthy immune system with many white blood cells. If you want to strengthen your immune system, consider swimming in the chilly ocean whenever possible.

Weight Management

Could regular dips in the icy-cold ocean help you manage your weight? Swimming is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. However, unlike other forms of cardiovascular exercise, swimming doesn't stress your joints. Additionally, colder temperatures can help your body produce more brown fat cells. Brown fat is good for weight control. It enables the body to burn calories. It can also help to regulate insulin levels.

Obesity is a serious health condition in the United States and other parts of the world. Moreover, being seriously overweight can lead to other potentially life-threatening health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. If you're trying to manage your weight, a regular swim in the ocean or any other cold body of water can help you to shed a few pounds and improve your overall health.

Book A Vacation

Perhaps you don't live anywhere near an ocean or any other cold body of water. In that case, try to book a vacation to the sea as often as your budget allows. Remember that short holidays can be less expensive and who doesn't welcome a quick get-away? The beaches are less busy in the off-season and less hustle and bustle makes for even more relaxation.

Vacations cost less in the off-season. If you peruse the internet, you'll see many excellent, reasonably-priced beach weekends in the cooler shoulder and winter seasons.

If frequent ocean vacations aren't possible, there are other ways of experiencing the health benefits associated with exposure to cold water. For example, you may want to try a cold shower now and again. You could even try the occasional ice bath if you feel courageous.

Be Brave

Bathing or swimming in the cold ocean doesn't sound difficult. However, it requires an element of courage. This is due to the shock to the system that cold water causes. Yet, it's worth being brave and finding the courage to endure the chilly water intermittently. Doing so will enable you to enjoy all of the associated health benefits. So why wait? Take the plunge as soon as you can. Then you'll know how great exposure to cold ocean water is for your health and well-being.