Cold Water Swimming for Burnout Recovery

Cold water swimming has many reported health benefits including boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and even enhancing cardiovascular health. It also significantly benefits mental health. Had you told me three years ago I would eagerly anticipate plunging myself into the north sea in the depths of winter, I wouldn't have believed you. Yet this August marks three years since the beginning of my cold water swimming journey and I want to share with you how it has helped with my recovery from burnout.

The Challenge

Anyone who has attempted cold water swimming is familiar with the mild (and occasionally not so mild!) sense of trepidation when getting ready to enter the water. In my experience, this feeling diminishes with experience but never completely disappears. I've discovered that consistently pushing through these feelings and diving in anyway boosts your resilience to stress and anxiety in other areas of life. Beginning my day by conquering this small personal challenge provides me with the confidence I need to face the day ahead.

The Stillness

Once I'm in the water and my breathing stabilises, I experience a feeling of complete stillness and calm. The vast sea stretches before me and the physical space around me translates into space in my mind. Sometimes I can almost physically sense stressful thoughts leaving my body, as my blood rushes to support my essential organs. This mental clearing allows me a fresh start, reminding me that I can decide what is important enough to worry about and where I just need to let things go.

The Adrenaline Rush

Those who follow my blog are aware that I used to be somewhat of an adrenaline junkie at work (read more here). Cold water swimming is refreshing, and the chilly water frequently triggers an adrenaline surge, commonly known as the "cold water high." Anyone who has experienced a cold dip understands it's difficult to leave without feeling empowered to handle anything. Having already fulfilled my adrenaline cravings elsewhere, I now find myself able to relax at work, manage a reasonable workload, and keep things in perspective.

Connection with Nature

I swim at the beach, usually first thing in the morning before work. Going at the same time throughout the year means I can connect with the change in seasons. In winter, we swim in the dark in our bobble hats, sometimes under skies full of stars, shooting stars, full moons, crescent moons and everything in between. As the seasons shift, I get to experience the sun rises, with skies painted with pinks, oranges and purples. Then, in the height of summer, I am swimming in full sunlight, the heat of the sun warming my head in my swimming cap. Sometimes a seal joins us or a heron on the groyne sign. Somedays, the sea is crystal clear like a sheet of glass and sometimes its too rough to swim and we jump in the waves instead. No two days are the same but the connection with nature seems to put me and my worries in my place, reminding me of whats important.

Companionship

For safety, cold water swimming usually requires a companion. To start me off, I joined a beginner session organised by Wild Swim Scotland, and then joined local swims advertised by the Edinburgh Bluetits. I now swim with a regular group of friends but the point is cold water swimming offers the opportunity for connection without pressure. When you are feeling overwhelmed going out with friends can feel like too much, but meeting people through a shared activity can feel easier, providing you with the important benefits of connection. It was during a swim I first felt able to open up about feeling overwhelmed at work, an important part of my recovery.

Final Thoughts

For me cold water swimming has really supported my recovery from burnout and I encourage everyone to give it a try. However, for those who don't fancy a cold dip, any activity you enjoy which provides challenge, a connection with nature and people and an opportunity to switch off is really important to living a balanced life and protecting you from burnout.

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