Ice swimming is a popular health sport in Finland, with over 100 000 practitioners. There are up to half a million people who have tried it.
You can practice ice swimming and adapt your body to the cold in small steps. For example, you can start by taking cold showers while you are in the sauna. Remember to focus on breathing calmly at the beginning. When it’s time to move from cold showers to open water, don’t go straight from the sauna. Cool down your body first and start your open-air bathing experience with short splashes.
When cooling off and in the open air, the hands, feet and head are where the most heat dissipates. You should be prepared for this with the right equipment.Remember to dress warmly after the swim!
Ice swimming
• causes the release of the pleasure hormones, endorphins
• improves blood circulation
• is invigorating
• improves sleep
• iceincreases immunity
• activates brown fat and can have a beneficial effect on weight management
• may reduce dry skin
• gives a feeling of daring
• accelerates the release of cortisol and adrenaline hormones, as in situations of psychological stress. Ice swimming has been found to balance cortisol levels.
• stimulates the vagus nerve, a switch between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
Carita Harju, Hyvää oloa saunomalla – Saunafulness (Viisas Elämä Oy, 2021)
