Discussion Cold water swimming

[Fadeawaaaay]

I just spent 20 minutes swimming in very cold ocean water. As a treatment for depression I have found it to be quite effective if you do it pretty much every day. My life challenges are far too overwhelming for this regimen to "Cure "me of depression- But if I were doing everything I could to recover it would be part of my repertoire.

 

[Manaaja]

I'd like to swim in cold water right now.

Years ago there was news about a really old man (80-90) who walks one kilometer every day to go cold swimming.

I've heard many people tell me that once they started cold swimming they haven't had a single flu.

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

I'd like to swim in cold water right now.

Years ago there was news about a really old man (80-90) who walks one kilometer every day to go cold swimming.

I've heard many people tell me that once they started cold swimming they haven't had a single flu.

The first two or three minutes is really painful but after that it's really quite easy… unfortunately I don't really want to start being depressed if that makes any sense… I have too many problems to deal with and it's easier if I'm entirely shut down, easier to avoid everything entirely and let it all go to hell… But if I were committed to optimal mental health… I would definitely be cold water swimming all the time…

 

[Manaaja]

The first two or three minutes is really painful but after that it's really quite easy… unfortunately I don't really want to start being depressed if that makes any sense… I have too many problems to deal with and it's easier if I'm entirely shut down, easier to avoid everything entirely and let it all go to hell… But if I were committed to optimal mental health… I would definitely be cold water swimming all the time…

Our town's swimming pool building whatever it's called had a cold pool with water that was only 4C. It was really nice.

I think I understand what you mean. Sometimes I think "If only I got this problem fixed, I could live" but then I remember that even if I got that problem fixed, I'd still have a million other problems that would force me to ctb sooner or later.

For example, my old dog died, I can't live without a dog, I want a new dog. I almost got a new dog, but then I recalled that I don't have enough money to take care of it. Then I thought about doing art commissions for money, but then I remembered that selling fan art is a grey business and people rarely buy original art (you'll get ten times more commissions if you say "I'll draw your favorite movie character for 50€ than if you say "I'll draw anything but fan art for 10€"). Then I thought what the hell, I can still earn money by selling prints or pins or tutorials or making a Patreon and posting youtube videos and twitch streams and getting donations. But then I remembered that in my country everything is illegal and taxed heavily. For example, Patreon (which is the main source of income for many artists/musicians/youtubers these days and has helped make many millionaires) is illegal in my country, because of course I live in North Korea #2.

Every time I find a solution to one problem it just ends up making more problems.

 

[ascetic_]

Some people do cold showers for this reason. I've tried once.

I'm not sure if the method matters - jumping right into the cold water, or gradually reducing from hot to cold.

I find the latter method easier to do, of course.

 

[Life sucks]

I always take cold showers, it reduces heat which is one of causes of mental problems (specially the brain). It helps me against anhedonia sometimes

 

[motel rooms]

I just spent 20 minutes swimming in very cold ocean water. As a treatment for depression I have found it to be quite effective if you do it pretty much every day. My life challenges are far too overwhelming for this regimen to "Cure "me of depression- But if I were doing everything I could to recover it would be part of my repertoire.

Why does this supposedly work?

it reduces heat which is one of causes of mental problems (specially the brain)

Heat causes mental problems?

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

Why does this supposedly work?

It's pretty invigorating and gets the blood flowing that's for sure…

Heat causes mental problems?

 

[motel rooms]

It's pretty invigorating and gets the blood flowing that's for sure…

But depression has nothing to do with poor blood circulation...

 

[bed]

at the end of my showers, I usually turn it as cold as it can go and try to stay in it for as long as possible. It's one of the only times where I don't feel consumed by my suicidal thoughts because the sensation of the cold water is kicking my ass lol

 

[Life sucks]

Why does this supposedly work?


Heat causes mental problems?

From my long time self observation, internal heat in brain (you can think about it like a short circuit or something that generates heat) is the reason for some symptoms or pain. External heat could worsen that pain in some cases. The damaged brain generates abnormal heat, the type of damage and heat direction isn't the same and is different depending on the symptom and illness. This explanation works well with the laws of thermodynamics and the body and the brain acts like thermal systems, this explains how without an external force, it's possible for the suffering to continue internally. Cooling isn't a solution but could help in some cases.

 

[motel rooms]

Cooling isn't a solution but could help in some cases.

Cool

 

[Life sucks]

Cool

There are some studies about the relation between heat and mental illnesses

Is there an association between hot weather and poor mental health outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental health is an important public health issue globally. A potential link between heat exposure and mental health outcomes has been recognised in t…

www.sciencedirect.com

Possible Biological Mechanisms Linking Mental Health and Heat—A Contemplative Review

This review provides examples of possible biological mechanisms that could, at least partly, explain the existing epidemiological evidence of heatwave-related exacerbation of mental disease morbidity. The author reviews the complicated central processes ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Heat also isn't good for people in general

Extreme Heat Contributes to Worsening Mental Health, Especially Among Vulnerable Populations

The extreme heat that much of thethe country is experiencing has significant impacts on mental health alongside serious physical health impacts. Some groups, including people with pre-existing mental health conditions, are especially vulnerable.

www.psychiatry.org

 

[BeansOfRequirement]

Why does this supposedly work?

1. It's exercise.
2. It's forced mindfulness.
3. It's an activity/distraction.
4. Placebo.
5. It's a challenge/goal.
6. Novelty.
7. Switches the body from ruminating/thinking/brain/future to body/survival/present.

Something like that, anyway.

 

[motel rooms]

1. It's exercise.
2. It's forced mindfulness.
3. It's an activity/distraction.
4. Placebo.
5. It's a challenge/goal.
6. Novelty.
7. Switches the body from ruminating/thinking/brain/future to body/survival/present.

I suppose that makes sense. Maybe I sort of benefit from shocking my brain into submission by occasionally "interacting" with strangers who might decide to break my rules & upset me, which always makes me quite unpleasant to deal with. It's everything but 2 & 4.