Swimming in Cold Water May Have Antidepressant Effects, Preliminary Evidence Suggests
There is growing interest in the potential mental health benefits of swimming in cold water, with preliminary evidence suggesting that it may have antidepressant effects. A study conducted in Britain in 2020 found that swimming in the cold ocean reduced depressed mood up to 10 times more than watching swimmers from the beach. Another case report highlighted that a woman with treatment-resistant depression experienced significant improvement after swimming in cold seawater once a week.
However, it’s important to note that most studies on the mental health benefits of cold water swimming involve swimming with other people, making it difficult to determine whether it’s the socializing or the swimming itself that provides the observed antidepressant effect.
Despite this, exposure to cold water has been shown to have arousing and stimulating effects. It increases the release of substances such as cortisol, norepinephrine, endorphins, and dopamine, all of which play a role in regulating mood. These physiological responses are similar to the ones triggered by danger and threat, activating our hard-wired flight or fight reflex.
As a psychiatrist and passionate swimmer, Dr. Richard A. Friedman often prescribes exercise like swimming to his patients as a form of therapy. Swimming is an excellent aerobic exercise that is gentle on the joints. It provides a sense of pleasure and euphoria, likely due to the release of endorphins in the brain.
For those who don’t have access to a lake, ocean, or swimming pool, taking cool showers can have similar effects. Gradually turning down the hot water and habituating oneself to cooler water over time has been shown to boost dopamine and endorphin levels, potentially leading to antidepressant effects.
It’s important to note that swimming in cold water is not without risks. Cold water exposure activates both components of the autonomic nervous system, which can have opposing effects. Individuals with heart conditions or covert heart disease may be at risk of potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias if they are not prepared for the shock. Other risks include cold shock, hyperventilation, fatigue, disorientation, and hypothermia with prolonged exposure to cold water.
While there has been enthusiasm about the healing properties and health benefits of cold water immersion, many of the claims are unproven and further scientific research is needed to determine the full extent of these benefits. Nevertheless, as scorching heat becomes more common, swimming in cold water not only provides a refreshing and fast way to cool off but also offers potential mood-boosting, energizing, and cognitive function-enhancing effects.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.