Can winter swimming improve mental wellbeing?

Can winter swimming improve mental healthObjective: This pilot study aimed to investigate the practicality and potential benefits of combining winter swimming experiences with emotion-focused short-term psychotherapy to enhance mental wellbeing and alleviate psychological symptoms in young adults with mental health challenges. Methods: Eight participants aged 18-28 years, experiencing mental health challenges, underwent individual interviews and participated in eight group sessions, which included cold-water swimming and psychotherapy. Various measurement tools were utilized, including Core-OM, BDI, and VAS scale, alongside structured individual interviews. Results: Participants reported improved presence, body-mind connection, concentration, and a heightened sense of relaxation. Anxiety and depression measures (Core-OM, BDI) showed statistically significant improvements (p < .05) after the intervention. All participants (100%) continued winter swimming independently and reported benefits. Conclusion: Winter swimming, integrated with psychotherapy, proved to enhance the body-mind connection, presence, and emotional regulation in young adults with mental health challenges. This cost-effective and low-risk approach holds promise for improving mental wellbeing. Further research with control groups and psycho-physiological measurements is warranted to explore this innovative approach from a holistic perspective.