Ice swimming

Norwgians love their winter swimming, and science shows they may be on to something.

Visitors to Norway are often surprised to learn that Norwegians leave their infants outside to sleep in the cold Nordic air. But it takes living here a little while to discover another peculiarity about Norwegians’ fondness for the cold: there are a lot of winter swimming clubs – and they have waiting lists.
Swimming or even just dipping into icy cold water invigorates the blood circulation, raises the metabolism, and flushes out toxins.
The cold shock also sends adrenalin and endorphins racing through the body, producing a feeling of well-being that lasts up to four hours after a cold plunge.
A few studies have indicated that winter swimming reduces pain and discomfort among arthritis sufferers and boosts the body’s anti-oxidative protection, which could make it more resilient to environmental stress, disease and ageing.