November 3rd 2023.
Kate Middleton recently talked about her love for cold water swimming on the Australian podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. It turns out she loves taking a dip in the cold water, and her husband thinks she’s crazy for it.
It turns out she’s not alone in her love for cold water immersion. Other celebs like Chris Hemsworth, Harry Styles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lizzo also enjoy taking a dip in freezing cold temperatures. There’s even scientific evidence that suggests cold water immersion can protect against cardiovascular, obesity and other metabolic diseases, as well as helping with muscle recovery.
What is cold water immersion? It involves plunging your body into cold water with the aim of reaping physical and mental benefits, as well as aiding sports and exercise recovery. Methods of cold water immersion range from taking cold showers at home to swimming in cold water outdoors, or jumping into a bathtub filled with water and ice.
Many cold water lovers have reported feeling a ‘high’ after taking a plunge, which is said to be because immersing yourself in cold water releases happy hormones like dopamine and cortisol. Cold water swimming also has other benefits, such as exercising outdoors, being in a group of likeminded people and achieving a goal.
However, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with cold water swimming. The ‘cold shock’ experienced when entering the water can cause you to lose control of your breathing, leading you to drown. Hypothermia and cardiac arrest are also very real risks, so it’s important to check with medical professionals before trying cold water immersion.
So, if you’re inspired by Princess Kate and want to take the plunge, make sure you consider the pros and cons, don’t go alone, and check with your GP beforehand.
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