Cold-Water Swimming • Hacker News Board

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#11

Post by nck4222 » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 4:15 PM UTC

leetrout wrote: post #5

nck4222 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

chrome://flags/#enable-reader-mode Firefox has this feature enabled by default and displays an icon in the address bar that you can click to reload the page in reader mode.

That is not a flag for me in version 79.0.3945.130 on Mac. What OS / version of chrome are you using?

Huh, I just updated to that version and I no longer have the flag either, guess they got rid of it... One more reason to primarily use firefox.

Looks like there are extensions in the chrome store that essentially do the same thing though.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#12

Post by mikejarema » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 4:19 PM UTC

danenania wrote: post #6

Last summer I ran to the beach and went for a swim in the ~58 deg f ocean almost every day. I love it—you feel amazing after. From casual googling, it seems that the cold water triggers an adrenaline response, causing lower adrenaline levels afterward, i.e. less stress. I find the effect to be pretty dramatic. I also noticed a significant increase in my tolerance for cold in general.

I regularly do cold water swims in spring and fall months, and wholeheartedly agree with the amazing feeling after a good 10-20 minute dip.

I find the first few minutes of the swim are the hardest, as your body is adjusting to the cold, surface blood vessels are constricting, etc. The next 5-15 minutes are fantastic! I don't usually push it much beyond that.

But any discussion of the benefits of cold water swimming also needs to highlight the risk. If you're thinking of trying it out, make sure you're acutely aware of the temperatures you're dealing with, how long you're planning on being in the water, and that you understand the body's reflexes to cold water submersion. Here's a good resource covering these points: http://seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/hypothermia

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#13

Post by danenania » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 4:32 PM UTC

mikejarema wrote: post #12

danenania wrote: post #6

Last summer I ran to the beach and went for a swim in the ~58 deg f ocean almost every day. I love it—you feel amazing after. From casual googling, it seems that the cold water triggers an adrenaline response, causing lower adrenaline levels afterward, i.e. less stress. I find the effect to be pretty dramatic. I also noticed a significant increase in my tolerance for cold in general.

I regularly do cold water swims in spring and fall months, and wholeheartedly agree with the amazing feeling after a good 10-20 minute dip. I find the first few minutes of the swim are the hardest, as your body is adjusting to the cold, surface blood vessels are constricting, etc. The next 5-15 minutes are fantastic! I don't usually push it much beyond that. But any discussion of the benefits of cold water swimming a…

Very good point on the risks. I recommend immediately running, biking, or doing something else to warm your body up after getting out, especially if it's not a hot day. It only takes a couple minutes of running to warm up again, but if you stay still you can be shivering for an hour after.

I've also noticed that there are a few phases you go through. First there's the initial shock--that lasts a few minutes as you say. Then you adapt and it starts feeling good. But if you stay in for long enough, you can start feeling cold again in a deeper more full-body way that indicates your overall body temperature is decreasing. That's when you want to get out :)

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#14

Post by all2 » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 4:33 PM UTC

skohan wrote: post #10

I used to race triathlons, and I've dived into my fair share of chilly lakes and rivers at 6 AM. I guess this is a different thing than a leisurely swim, but the main thing I remember is the pain in the temples and around the crown of the scalp from submerging the head in ice-cold water. Something like a brain-freeze from eating ice cream too fast.

Muscle contractions that likely mirror the effects of tension headaches.

I've noticed this occasionally when I take a really cold shower.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#15

Post by 2zcon » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 5:04 PM UTC

>A year later, Walnut Tree Farm was bought by a couple, Jasmin and Titus Rowlandson, who have maintained his commitment to ungentrified country living...it is warmed by an Aga stove.

There's not much more gentric than an Aga

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#16

Post by tartoran » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 5:32 PM UTC

I wonder how this differs form dipping in chilled water at a typical Russian Banya. I can’t swim well in cold water but experienced a great effect on my body at a russian spa. After alternating between sauna/steam room and quick dips in a small tank with chilled water (near freezing point) and all i could say is after the initial shock I felt absolutely fantastic.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#17

Post by Disruptive_Dave » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 6:02 PM UTC

East coast winter surfer here. After that initial shock (anyone have ideas on how to minimize this??), it's a great feeling. Almost as good as the coffee and burrito after the session. Highly recommended.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#18

Post by hcnews » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 6:07 PM UTC

If you are interested in this, you should probably take a look into Wim Hof. He has made a process out of using coldness for improving day-to-day condition.

PS: His practice is mostly (power) breathing and cold showers/swims/etc.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#19

Post by KotlinFan554001 » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 6:25 PM UTC

"it is warmed by an Aga stove and an enormous open hearth, over which dinner is typically cooked" I guess this produces way too much greenhouse gases, as compared to more modern ways.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#20

Post by dacoldswimmer » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 6:29 PM UTC

danenania wrote: post #6

Last summer I ran to the beach and went for a swim in the ~58 deg f ocean almost every day. I love it—you feel amazing after. From casual googling, it seems that the cold water triggers an adrenaline response, causing lower adrenaline levels afterward, i.e. less stress. I find the effect to be pretty dramatic. I also noticed a significant increase in my tolerance for cold in general.

Where I used to live water was more like 60 deg F in the winter.

Where I live now it's 58 in the summer, 53 in the winter. After going in all summer I couldn't wait to see what 53 does to you.

I'm the only person out there in a speedo, everybody else is in a body suit. Beach walkers are bundled up. I'd like to know the effects on brown fat.

First time I did it I felt stoned afterwards. I don't really get that feeling anymore but I definitely feel better. My cold tolerance is high throughout the week.

At first the water is too cold for my feet but over the course of 20 minutes I don't feel anything at all. Helps that I'm over 25% body fat. I finally get up to my neck. It's still difficult to repeatedly put my head underwater because you get something akin to brain freeze.

The scientific benefits of full-body sun + salt water absorption through skin + cold body exposure are not popular, even if the science has been done. My common sense tells me it's great for me.