A woman in her 30s who lived a reclusive life... took a cold water swim
Significant improvement in depression
Helen Downham, 37, who lives in Bristol, England
Cold water swimming says it saved their life.
Helen Downham (37), living in Bristol, UK, says that cold water swimming saved her life.
A woman's story was shared about her depression symptoms, which did not improve with medication or exercise, dramatically improving after taking a cold water swim.
This is the story of Helen Downham, 37, who lives in Bristol, England, and she said that cold water swimming saved her life.
According to the UK daily Mirror, Helen experienced a series of shocking events between 2019 and 2022, including a breakup, job loss, and a leg fracture, all coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic.
He, a single mother, had been experiencing symptoms of depression for some time, but during the pandemic, he even began to think about suicide.
I developed severe agoraphobia and couldn't step outside the house even once.
I increased my medication and tried exercising based on the doctor's advice, but it didn't help much.
Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces, such as large areas like plazas.
It is a mental disorder characterized by fear of being alone in places where one cannot quickly escape or where it is difficult to receive help.
It primarily manifests as avoiding specific places or places with certain characteristics that evoke fear, leading to a gradual reduction in the range of activities.
Helen, who had become reclusive, suffered from depression and anxiety, and in January, she was suggested to participate in an NHS program called 'social prescribing.'
Social prescribing in the UK is a program that connects people to community activities, groups, and services that improve citizens' health and well-being.
The program Helen was recommended for was a 6-week cold water swimming group operated in the community.
Cold water swimming brought a dramatic change to him from the very first time he participated.
At first, I was surprised by how cold it was, but I soon adapted, and when I returned home, I felt my mind become much clearer and more calm.
He is captivated by cold water swimming and currently participates more than twice a week.
He said, "I used to stay alone at home and absolutely didn't want to go outside, but now I'm excited about going swimming with my friends, to the point that I can't sleep the night before," and added, "For the first time in years, I'm not afraid to wake up in the morning."
Cold water swimming has been shown by many studies to have a positive effect on mental health... caution is advised for those with heart disease.
Actually, cold water swimming can help with depression and other issues.
There are several research findings that suggest a positive impact on mental health.
A study conducted in the UK in 2020 found that people who swam in cold seas experienced up to a tenfold greater improvement in their mood compared to the control group.
A 2018 case report involving a 24-year-old woman diagnosed with depression also found that cold water swimming was effective.
This woman wanted to stop taking medication, so the doctor recommended cold water swimming once a week.
The woman felt increasingly better and noticed a gradual reduction in her depression symptoms every time she swam. After starting swimming, she reduced her medication, and four months later, she was able to completely stop taking it.
However, it is not clear whether the mental health benefits of cold water swimming come from the activity itself or from the social aspect of engaging with others. The woman in the story also explained that both the nature of cold water swimming and social interaction with others contributed to her improvement in depression.
It should also be noted that not everyone can enjoy cold water swimming.
There are health conditions to watch out for, such as heart disease.
In any case, it is essential to seek expert advice before starting.
And it is also a good idea to start in late summer or early fall rather than beginning with very cold water from the start. When swimming, start slowly in shallow water and always do so with someone else.