Cold-Water Swimming • Hacker News Board

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#31

Post by danenania » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 8:13 PM UTC

kiliantics wrote: post #29

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.

In my hometown, in Ireland, there were people who would swim in the sea every day of the year (unless stormy). This is common across many Irish coastal towns. The old people in my town who were regulars, including men in their 80s, would claim it is very healthy and that they rarely become ill. I now live too far from the sea to do it regularly but I was just up in Cape Cod at the weekend and took a dip in the ~40F w…

Wow, 40f! I doubt I could handle much below 55, but I suppose with time it’s possible to adapt.

Yes I think the saltiness plays an important role, especially the magnesium. It’s similar to taking a bath with epsom salts.

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#32

Post by hcnews » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 8:45 PM UTC

Disruptive_Dave wrote: post #17

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.

Force yourself to breathe slowly. It leads to a much shorter shock phase.

This is a neurological hack, basically your mind thinks that everything is ok because you only breathe slowly in calm conditions (cold water is not calm by default).

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#33

Post by ficklepickle » Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 8:56 PM UTC

glofish wrote: post #23

KotlinFan554001 wrote: post #19

"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.

Compared to what? Are you accounting for the greenhouse costs of producing and shipping all the equipment that it is replacing? A stove, ducts and vents, cabling, a heating furnace and the production of all the energy sources that run these? You might find that answer is not so clear.

"...consumes thirty-eight times as much as a standard gas oven and hob"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGA_cooker

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#34

Post by nradov » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 1:18 AM UTC

dacoldswimmer wrote: post #20

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…

The science has been done and no significant amount of salt water is absorbed through the skin. (Your other points are correct.)

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#35

Post by Doxin » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 1:00 PM UTC

I can totally recommend everyone at least try a cold shower once. It's has a bit of a lower barrier to entry than cold water swimming.

If you've never been under a cold shower for more than a few seconds it's hard to imagine what it's like. It's more than just cold. Your entire body has a visceral reaction to it. Your heart rate goes up, your breathing quickens, fight-or-flight kicks in hard. It's not exactly fun but boy is it a good way to start your day. I've never been more awake than after a cold shower.

Of course the tricky bit is to actually get yourself to do it. Personally I tend to shower nice and warm, and then finish it off by turning off the hot water. It's always a challenge to see how long I can last under the cold water. Big advantage of showering like this is that you still get to have a nice comfy long warm shower but getting out of the shower isn't cold anymore. Room temperature is positively pleasant after a cold shower ;-)

Re: Cold-Water Swimming

#36

Post by Doxin » Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 1:03 PM UTC

jhu247 wrote: post #26

If you don't live near cold water, I find that taking an ice-cold shower has a similar physiological effect.

Seconded. It's pretty wild how much a cold shower affects you physically. The only comparable things is fight-or-flight stuff like your chair almost tipping backwards or the top of a lift hill on a roller coaster. You'll definitely feel awake and alive after!