{"id":3461,"date":"2022-08-04T07:10:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T07:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.mutusystem.com\/en-us\/?p=3461"},"modified":"2023-12-15T12:18:41","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T12:18:41","slug":"why-wild-swimming-is-the-new-wellness-obsession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-us\/postpartum-exercise\/why-wild-swimming-is-the-new-wellness-obsession\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Wild Swimming Is The New Wellness Obsession"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
At MUTU HQ, we\u2019re huge fans and love the health benefits of wild swimming<\/a>. Our CEO Wendy<\/a> loves it and shares a few of her chilly swims on Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you\u2019ve never done it, you may wonder what all the hype\u2019s about, or be concerned about safety. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going to dive into the basics of wild swimming together, to inspire you take the plunge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wild swimming basically means swimming outdoors in a natural body of water – the sea, lakes or rivers. Depending on where you live, that is likely to mean a pretty *cold* natural body of water. It’s exploded in popularity and in practice, ranges from a quick dip on a sunny day, to all-year-round cold water ocean or lake swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming is a great form of exercise, giving you a full body workout without the stress on your bones and muscles endured by other activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When lockdown hit and swimming pools closed, wild swimming as a thing<\/em> really took off. And by \u2018wild\u2019, we don\u2019t mean bathing naked \u2013 although that\u2019s always a fun option. We\u2019re talking about swimming outdoors in lakes, rivers or seas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stating the obvious, the water\u2019s often cold. Particularly in the winter months. And while that means you\u2019ll hear plenty of squeals, laughter and probably a few blue words, cold-water immersion is renowned for its health benefits<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s because immersing yourself in cold water gives your body\u2019s immune system a boost, releasing more white blood cells and antioxidants. This in turn brings down your blood pressure and cholesterol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s great for your circulation, as your blood rushes to protect your vital organs. This in turn encourages your heart to pump faster, which improves blood flow. Another plus of this increased circulation is that toxins are flushed out of your system, leaving you with skin that glows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some studies suggest being in cold water reduces inflammation, too. And people with health conditions such as asthma, depression, allergies and fibromyalgia all report an improvement in their conditions \u2013 it may need more research to determine a clear link, but many of us are very already convinced of the evidence<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, while there\u2019s room for plenty more research, we know from experience how good we feel after a sea swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s knowing you\u2019ve committed to something, of slipping on your swimsuit, rash vest and even a wetsuit, and actually doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a real sense of being mindful and present while you swim \u2013 if only because you\u2019re keeping a lookout for seaweed and jellyfish \ud83d\ude31 And, of course, there\u2019s that \u2018Whoop! I did it!\u2019 sense of achievement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to its rise in popularity, there are plenty of local wild swimming groups you can join online, who organise regular swimming meet-ups. So not only is it a healthy and rewarding activity to do with friends, it\u2019s also a great way to meet and connect with like-minded people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, there\u2019s also the joy of connecting with nature. Whether you choose to take a dip in a local river or in the sea, the scenery is often beautiful \u2013 more so on a bright, sunny day. Let\u2019s hear it for Vitamin D \ud83d\ude0e<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swim with friends<\/strong> \u2013 having at least one swim buddy is a good way to keep safe. But if they\u2019re not so keen, you could search out local swimming groups on social media. The more the merrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check the depth and the current<\/strong> – Don’t just dive in, do your research and understand the water you’re swimming in before you set out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use a swim float<\/strong> \u2013 these are brightly coloured floats that strap to your waist. Perfect for making sure you\u2019re noticed in the water, or to give you something to hold on to briefly if you need a rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mind your body<\/strong> \u2013 while swimming in cold water is a total buzz for your body, it can cause hypothermia. So pay attention to how you\u2019re feeling. The first signs include shivering and chattering teeth. That\u2019s when it\u2019s best to get out, dry off, dress in warm clothes (dry robes or something similar help keep you super warm) \u2013 and move around. Star jumps will definitely get the blood pumping! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Slippery rocks<\/strong> \u2013 the last thing you\u2019d want is to slip over and badly bruise yourself. But, if you need to clamber over rocks to get into the water, take your time and go either barefoot or wear rubber-soled shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Warm up<\/strong> \u2013 we love to finish off a swim session with a hot drink and something to eat. So make sure you take something with you. Or, you could swim somewhere near a caf\u00e9. Did someone say cake?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about the joys and how-to’s of wild swimming<\/a> here and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At MUTU HQ, we\u2019re huge fans and love the health benefits of wild swimming. Our CEO Wendy loves it and shares a few of her chilly swims on Instagram! But if you\u2019ve never done it, you may wonder what all the hype\u2019s about, or be concerned about safety. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going to dive into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3462,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"blog-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-postpartum-exercise","category-wendy-loves"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is wild swimming?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why is wild swimming so popular?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Impact of wild swimming on your mental health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to swim safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n