Open water swimming has become one of the most popular winter hobbies in recent years, and not the swamp - cold water has been studied to have many health benefits for both body and mind. Regular exposure to cold has been found to lower the body's stress levels and blood pressure, improve sleep quality and raise general alertness. However, it is essential that the cold exposure is regular - if you stop swimming, the benefits also disappear. Open water swimming is suitable for almost everyone with basic health, regardless of age, and the common winter swimming spots in Finland are accessible to almost everyone.
For beginners, venturing can seem exciting, and that's why we've listed here some tips to make the experience both pleasant and safe.
1. I always go to Avanto with a friend. Make sure that there is another person nearby ready to help in case something unexpected happens.
2. Do not dive . Since the blood vessels of the head do not constrict in the cold, watering the head can quickly lead to hypothermia. Diving can also cause pain in the forehead and trigger a migraine attack, for example.
3. Beanie to warm your head. Most of the body's heat evaporates through the head, and therefore wearing a hat is very important.
4. Use neoprene slippers and gloves. The peripheral parts of the body, i.e. the fingers and toes, are the most sensitive to frostbite, because in the cold the blood circulation is concentrated around the important internal organs. Walking all the way to the opening without shoes can seem insurmountably difficult, and that's why we recommend packing warm socks. Swimming shoes warm the feet even after getting wet, and are therefore a great option, but if necessary, wool socks, for example, also work well. Using shoes also reduces the risk of slipping on icy piers (don't run on the pier). Open swimming gloves not only warm you up, but also prevent your hands from sticking to metal railings or door handles.
5. Breathe calmly. Cold water causes breathing to speed up automatically, this is a normal reaction, but essentially hinders the ability to function in the opening. Try to blow out calmly as you descend into the opening and breathe as calmly as possible throughout the swim/wet.
6. Extend the time you stay in the opening little by little. Beginners should not try to spend too long periods of time in cold water, start with a few seconds and increase the time gradually if it feels good to you. The most important thing is to listen to your own body, you don't have to strive for the same as others.
7. Warm up moderately. After exposure to the cold, you should not rush straight to the sauna, even though it may momentarily seem like a good idea. Feel free to warm up by wrapping yourself in a towel and go, for example, to the dressing room or shower room for a while before going to the sauna. This reduces the strain on the heart caused by temperature fluctuations.
8. Take care of hydration. In the cold, the feeling of thirst does not often arise, but that does not mean that the body does not need hydration. Especially when you combine swimming with sauna, there is a risk of dehydration. Lukewarm water or juice is best for hydration, avoid coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages.
9. Do not open when sick or intoxicated. This should go without saying, but let's mention it anyway. Talk to your doctor if you have heart or blood vessel disease.
10. Dress warmly enough . Open swimming in itself does not make you susceptible to catching a cold, but wearing too little clothing at the end of a swimming trip might instead. Pack a dry beanie and enough layers of clothing.
Nice and relaxing open moments! Look here useful equipment to support the hobby of swimming.
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