Maggie Evans 
When you think of Christmas Day, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of the children, decked in festive loungewear, sitting beside a decorated tree, excitedly opening presents and playing with new toys. Maybe you ponder over the delicious food, snacks, and drinks that you enjoy in front of the fire, under a cozy blanket, testing out your new fluffy slipper socks. Or alternatively, you may daydream about the contented afternoons, full of food, tipsy with a little drink, watching movies, and playing video games with jolly songs playing over the radio.
An experience you may not think about in relation to Christmas Day is a swim in breathtakingly icy water, however, Christmas Day swims are growing more popular every year!
You’ve no doubt taken a dip when on holiday in the sunshine, and the nicely warmed water is actually inviting. Jumping into freezing waters in the middle of winter, however, is likely another story. What would possess someone to leave behind the turkey and pigs in blankets, walk away from the cozy fires and eggnog, to go for a swim? Let’s consider a few reasons why…
Why Should You Take the Plunge?
It’s fun!
It might not be for everyone, but it’s surprisingly fun to throw caution to the wind and join a group of people you’ve never met before and leap into the ocean together! If nothing else, it’s a great laugh and definitely something to tick off the bucket list.
It’s good for you physically!
Cold water swimming is surprisingly good for your body. It helps to boost the body’s production of white blood cells thus improving your immune system. Winter is actually a good time to take the leap as that’s likely when you will need a strong immune system the most. Furthermore, your circulation gets a kick with cold water due to the fact that circulation on your skin’s surface is constricted so your veins, arteries, and capillaries are flushed with blood. This means the blood within your deeper tissues to bump through a lot faster so that you can keep your body temperature up.
It’s good for you mentally!
The positive effects of cold-water swimming on mental health are well documented due to a reduction in cortisol, a hormone that induces stress. Cold water exposure also causes your heart rate to slow down resulting in a feeling of calm.
So, if you’re now feeling a little more excited by the idea, where can you go to try it?
Where Can You Take the Plunge?
It’s important to find a good location for wild water swimming any time of the year, to make sure you stay safe and can get help if you need it. Christmas Day swims are organized across the country so there’s likely going to be one near you that you can get involved in. Along the coastline, there are countless swims that regularly take place. By doing a little research and taking the advice of travel experts like Luxury Coastal, you’ll be able to find the perfect place to ditch the slippers and put on the swimsuit. From Woolacombe in North Devon to Ayrshire in Scotland, you will have no problem finding a bunch of similarly crazy people to take the plunge with you! Often, these swims will have a charity to swim in support of, which may give you a little bit more motivation to get out there. Make sure you go prepared with a spare set of clothes, a big towel, and some shoes to keep your feet warm on the beach.
