According to his followers, the regular practice of cold water bathing strengthens immunity and reduces joint pain and stress. We take into account.
Braving the summer heat, the beaches and water spots are taking it by storm. In France, on the Mediterranean coast, the water temperature rarely drops below 20°C. Therefore, it is necessary to go up to the English Channel to find freshness there and to find temperatures similar to those of mountain lakes. Swimming in cold water has many benefits, both physically and mentally, as confirmed by Guillaume Baruq, general practitioner and author of the book. Surf therapy (1), and Marie Perez Siscar, General Practitioner and President of Cote Thalasso Centers.
Strengthen your blood circulation
Like any physical exercise, swimming stimulates the cardiovascular system and makes the heart more resistant. Also, even without stretching, we notice an effect on the vessels just by starting to wet our feet. “Walking in cold water activates the muscles of the thighs and calves and at the same time invigorates blood circulation, thus improving venous return,” says Dr. Marie Perez Siscar.
By being completely immersed in the sea at a temperature of 9 to 16°C, you will somehow help to “strengthen your arteries”, according to Biarritz GP Guillaume Baruc. “When exposed to cold water, blood vessels constrict and the body redirects blood to vital organs. This is called “vasoconstriction”. Coming out of the water, it is the opposite. “Vasodilation” occurs, that is, an increase in the diameter of blood vessels and blood flow,” explains the medical worker. By warming up, the body will then shut down the internal organs, promote oxygen exchange and muscle relaxation.
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On the other hand, let those in a hurry refrain from diving too early. “An extremely unexpected difference in temperature can cause anxiety, even dehydration,” warns Dr. Guillaume Baruc. The ideal, according to the general practitioner, is to gradually enter the water without pre-warming the body and moisturizing the face and then the neck to allow “good thermoregulation of the body”.
In addition, health professionals insist that it’s important to get a medical checkup before swimming in cold temperatures, especially if you’re over 50 and/or have a history of heart disease.
Burning calories?
When the body is immersed in cold water, it will almost automatically use its muscles to combat heat loss, general practitioner Marie Perez Siscar tells us. “By contracting our limbs more, the body will be required to double its energy, therefore using our fat stores and burning a few calories,” he sums up.
The cold, by contracting our limbs more, will ask the body to redouble its energy and therefore use up our fat stores.
Dr. Marie Perez Siscar
In the sea, more than in the lake, the waves model the silhouette more, the specialist assures. “They have a thermal massage effect that will promote skin tone and firmness.”
Immunity shield
In various reports on the subject, those who are against mercury often testify that they “never get sick again” because they have taken the cold version of swimming. According to Dr. Guillaume Baruq, exposure to the cold will actually boost your immune defenses. “In Norway, it is customary to expose children to the cold from a young age to help them become more resistant to low temperatures,” he reports. In addition, the richness of microorganisms in the marine environment plays a protective role. By exposing yourself to this variety, you allow the immune system to become more accustomed to different bacteria and germs.
For Côté Thalasso president Marie Pérez Siscar, this shield effect comes mainly from this swimming lifestyle. “Swimmers in general not only engage in this physical activity regularly and accompany it with a more balanced diet,” he adds.
Expensive pain reliever
In the event of a strain or injury, the bag of frozen peas is easily removed from the pod to prevent swelling. In the low temperature sea, the principle remains the same. As Dr. Guillaume Baruk explains, cold water reduces inflammation and joint pain due to its double effect. “First, the cold acts like a painkiller on the pain and slows down the inflammatory process,” he elaborates. Then the water pressure, associated with the salty nature of the sea, contributes to the weightlessness of the body floating and its gentle movement, much easier than on dry land.
Good for morale
Health professionals are convinced that, despite the outcry over its contact, the cold will boost morale. In fact, the mild heat shock caused by swimming in low temperatures allows the synthesis of various neurotransmitters, says general practitioner Guillaume Baruq. “This process releases endorphins, also known as pleasure hormones, but also serotonin and dopamine, two hormones that are important in regulating our emotions and energy,” she says.
Added to that is the relatively relaxing landscape. “Looking at the sea, you completely empty your mind. And breathing marine aerosols rich in mineral salts enhances this relaxation,” claims Dr. Marie Pérez Siscar.
To practice this particular swim, it is mandatory to be accompanied by a loved one or a practitioner so that you can be rescued as soon as possible in case of danger, discomfort or even hypothermia. The collective aspect is also beneficial for mental health. “This activity is mainly carried out in groups, particularly through clubs,” comments Guillaume Baruk. This collegial atmosphere improves social connections, intellectual stimulation and, of course, mood. It is enough to watch the swimmers at the end of the bath. their laughter, even giggles, is clearly different.
(1) Guillaume Baruch is the author Surf therapy, contact treatment with the ocean, published by Surf Prevention, 224 pages, €25.
Source: Le Figaro
