Menopause is not just a few hot flashes: disturbed sleep, anxiety and fatigue can wear down your morale. Among the solutions, swimming comes up often, because it protects the joints and works the whole body. Several studies have focused on swimming in cold water, practiced outdoors in lakes or at sea, sometimes in the middle of winter. Women who indulge in it speak of a “reset effect” after each swim, a feeling of inner reboot that intrigues researchers.
A “reset effect” at the heart of menopause
In a study published in theEuropean Journal of Ecopsychologyresearchers from the University of East London surveyed nine women aged 39 to 59 who regularly swim in open water. “We’re seeing a major shift: more women are turning to open water swimming, and many are speaking openly about its link to menopause“, explained James Beale, lead author of the study.
They all talked about menopause, even though nothing required it in the interview guide. The report emphasizes that “several participants spoke of the positive impact of open water swimming on menopausal symptoms“and even talks about”a positive impact of open water swimming on menopausal symptoms“.”Our study shows that women repeatedly link outdoor swimming with emotional stability, confidence and coping skills during this life stage“, summarizes James Beale.
Figures that surprise (positively)!
A study published in the journal Post Reproductive Health recruited 1,114 women, including 785 postmenopausal women, to question their cold water swimming habits. Many said they swim in summer and winter. Among postmenopausal women, 46.9% reported improved anxiety, 34.5% fewer mood swings, 31.1% fewer bad moods, and 30.3% fewer hot flashes. “The effects were greater in people who swam longer“, said Joyce Harper, researcher for the study.
In total, 63.3% of swimmers said they jumped into cold water to relieve their symptoms. They attributed their progress to the calming and stimulating effect of the cold, to the company of a group, to the reduction of menstrual disorders and hot flashes, but also to the impression of better overall health.
Enjoy cold water without ignoring the risks
Before jumping into the water, especially with a fragile heart condition, caution is still required. “Care should be taken when swimming in cold water, as they may be at risk of hypothermia, cold shock, heart rhythm disturbances, or even drowning. Depending on where they bathe, water quality standards can also vary. Sewage pollution is an increasingly common problem in the UK’s rivers and sea. And, unfortunately, it can increase the likelihood of gastroenteritis and other infections“, warns Joyce Harper.
Medical advice and gradual launching into the water, ideally within a supervised group, therefore remain essential to benefit from this reset effect while limiting the risks.