What is winter swimming called in Finnish?
In Finnish, it is called Talviuinti or winter swimming, and it is quite the cult thing across the country. Simply put, it is the practice of taking a dip in the freezing waters of the sea or lakes, sometimes in a hole cut into the layer of ice that covers the surface of the water mass.
What is ice swimming in Finland?
The combination of extremes like hot and cold, sauna and ice swimming, is said to be very healthy. Ice swimming provides you with a better resistance to cold weather, improves the immune system, helps to breathe and sleep better and release all the stress. …
Why do Scandinavians swim in cold water?
Many Scandinavians swear by winter swimming, saying that it serves as a mood booster during the long, dark winters. Though science is scarce, enthusiasts say cold water swimming not only heightens happiness but it fosters a sense of community.
How cold is ice water in Finland?
A great day for a swim: Winter water temperatures always stay just above zero Celsius (32 Fahrenheit), even when a layer of ice forms on the surface. From late autumn until spring, a removable bridge connects the small island of Uunisaari with Kaivopuisto, the park that covers Helsinki’s southern shore.
Is swimming in winter healthy?
Cold water helps to boost the white blood cell count because the body is forced to react to changing conditions. Over time, your body becomes better at activating its defences. Cold water swimming activates endorphins. Cold water swimming is also a form of exercise, and exercise has been proven to treat depression.
Can you swim in lakes in Finland?
Plunging into Finland’s 187 888 lakes, into the Baltic Sea and into innumerable secret out-of-the-way swimming spots is a real joy. Finland is a true swimmer’s paradise: you can swim anywhere you like and waters are clear and safe. Finnish Lakeland is the largest lake district in Europe.
Can you swim in Finland?
Finland is a country with 188,000 lakes, and Saimaa is at the heart of its lake district. Along its shores, you’ll find countless places to swim either at the official swim beaches or in the wild of nature. There are also swimming halls to be found in Mikkeli and Savonlinna for when you’d prefer to swim indoors.
Is winter swimming safe?
The cold shock response and cardiac arrest are the most common causes of death related to cold water immersion. Winter swimming isn’t dangerous for healthy persons, but should be avoided by individuals with heart or respiratory diseases, obesity, high blood pressure and arrhythmia, as well as children and the elderly.
Do people swim in Finland?
Swimming through Finland’s cold, dark winters There are about 150,000 active winter swimmers in Finland, and there’s even a cadre of ice swimming enthusiasts that take a dip twice a day. “For me, ice swimming makes the winters much more enjoyable.
What’s the coldest water you can swim in?
77-82F(25-28C) Swimming pool temperature range for Olympic competition. 70F(21C) Water feels quite cold to most people. Treat any water temperature below 70F (21C) with caution. 40F(4.4C) or lower Water is painfully cold.
Does cold water swimming make you fat?
There is evidence that cold water encourages the development of brown fat (which burns calories) and clearly, if you do a lot of swimming in cold water then you are going to burn your way through a lot of calories.