Cold water, old wisdom
Wild swimming has seen a resurgence in recent years, with Hampstead Ponds, Cornish coves, rivers (yes, even the Thames, although is it wild swimming?), and lidos all bustling with those prepared to subject themselves to cold waters, and for some, year-round. I think it's important to highlight why this has been, and continues to be, a practice long before it was cool (pun intended, because the water is cold... no?).
Hydrotherapy's long naturopathic and folk medicine tradition
Cold water, and by extension hydrotherapy as an umbrella term, has long been a part of naturopathic and folk medicine, with practices and routines dating back to the 19th century, when balneotherapy (the systematic use of water for medicinal purposes) was popular across Europe. Doctors and folk healers alike prescribed regimens of hot and cold water bathing, cold water immersion, and various other forms of hydrotherapy, believing the specific stresses placed on the body by these practices would cause it to adapt and become stronger.
Britain has a long and storied relationship with cold water, particularly in the form of sea bathing, which saw spas and bathing machines built up and down the country, as it was considered a particularly healthy and therapeutic practice, well before modern-day wild swimming was formalised as a concept.
What exactly does cold water do for us, then?
Hydrotherapy's benefits are difficult to quantify, due to a combination of reasons, not least of which is that while I am a naturopathic practitioner, I am not a medical one, and cannot speak objectively on the practice, only to what most would agree on. That said, there does seem to be a fairly universal consensus that cold water acts as a stimulant on the nervous system. It is generally beneficial in small doses, and to certain specific groups, such as those suffering from depression or in need of a quick mental and physical pick-me-up. A substantial number of people have found that this routine has helped them, and so continue to engage with it.
Some health and safety notes
While cold water swimming can be incredibly beneficial, it can also be incredibly dangerous. Done recklessly, it can expose you to hazards such as cold shock, hypothermia, and drowning, particularly if you are not used to the conditions of a particular body of water. You should always do your research, and if you're not confident in your knowledge of the body of water, or in your swimming skills, bring somebody with you who knows it, or join an established wild swimming group in the area.
It's always best to start cold water swimming in a more controlled environment, such as an outdoor lido, and work your way up to the more unpredictable open waters of the local river or sea. Safety first, and that advice isn't something that's changed much since the beginning of hydrotherapy, either.
Personal notes on why I believe cold water swimming fits into the naturopathic tradition
Cold water swimming is, in my opinion, a perfect example of a naturopathic practice, in that it requires almost nothing to engage with, aside from water and common sense precautions; it's long been recommended by many alternative medical practitioners; and most importantly, many people have found it beneficial and engaging. If it works for you, and you can engage with it safely, it's a practice I think is worth pursuing, not just as a fad, but as something that many of us have found to be worthwhile long before its recent rise in popularity.
Also, I think it’s important to think about the benefits of it, because any body of water around Britain will be cold as heck, so you better find a way to actually enjoy it! Beware of cold shock and currents, though – #staysafe.
Speak soon,
Lorena