I Tried Ocean Dips: Are They Worth the Hype?
Photo by Getty Images.
I’ve been feeling stagnant in my personal wellness journey lately. In a quest to reset my nervous system, escape the perpetually dreary, Pacific Northwest weather, and simply challenge myself, I set a goal to do 15 ocean dips in April.
I recognize that I’m not a trendsetter here, far from it. Some of the earliest mentions of embracing cold water for well-being were in the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, dating back to 3500 BC. Ancient Greek physicians Hippocrates and Plato spoke extensively about the physiological benefits of cold water in hydropathy, while the Ancient Romans had cold pools in their infamous baths. Present day, we hear a lot about Dutch motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim Hof, who is famous for his advice on embracing the cold.
Still, I've been met with one of two responses when I share this goal with people in my life:
“Are you crazy!? I wish I could be that brave…”
“I’ve heard that it's really good for you.”
What side do you fall on?
The Science Behind Ocean Dips
Upon entering the freezing ocean for the first time, my body went into complete and utter shock. My mind jumped from thought to thought: why the **** Am I doing this!? I have to get out!!
Gasping, I abruptly felt adrenaline take over my body, aggressively pushing aside my fear and stress, inviting me to close my eyes and just breathe.
It forced me to stop, as the cold water completely consumed me. All I could do was breathe, and slowly, my mind gently turned off for a few minutes: something I certainly do not do enough of. I embraced the moment and just watched the deep blue water softly dance around me, and felt my feet plunge deeper into the sand. I pushed past the flight or fight urge and managed to stay in for three minutes. I could hardly believe it.
As I got out, my mind felt incredibly clear, like it had been reset. I felt elated and was smiling from ear to ear. I was hooked.
But, what does the research say?
Benefits of Ocean Dips
There are many perceived benefits to doing ocean plunges, including:
An Increased Tolerance to Stress
The temperature of the cold ocean creates a stress reaction in the body, similar to the body's reaction to a scary or tense situation, aka ‘fight or flight.’ This is the reason the mind tells you to get out of the cold water, as the brain perceives the wild temperature drop as a risk. The cold water spurs a release of endorphins and increase in circulation.
There is evidence that over time, and as you introduce more frequent ocean dips, your body will slowly acclimate to the cold water immersion.
This feeling will eventually stretch into other areas of life, as you learn to face and tolerate life's stresses from work, relationships, etc. Considering that stress can lead to terminal health conditions and death, this is a big win.
Faster Recovery From Exercise
Lots of athletes, from professionals to everyday athletes, use cold water dips to support their recovery after an intense workout. The idea is that your body reacts to cold temperatures by directing your blood away from your extremities to protect the organs in your core. This low blood flow to your limbs decreases inflammation and allows muscles to recover faster. Check out our 20 Tips for Better Workout Recovery for more ways to boost your muscle recovery.
Supports the Immune System
The ocean is swimming with germs. Trace elements and microorganisms found in seawater carry some antibacterial properties that can support your body and heart. These components are absorbed by the skin, helping to enhance your body’s health and well-being.
Boosts Mental Health
Studies have highlighted that ocean dips support the production of beta-endorphins—that elusive, 100% natural “feel-good” high we all crave. I felt this immediately.
Immersing yourself in the ocean forces you to get outside and spend time in nature, which is proven to reduce stress levels and lower the risk of developing depression and other conditions. Plus, it’s the ultimate mindfulness experience, as you are forced to be present and focus solely on your breath and that moment. This controlled breathing slows down the mind and body and reduces stress.
Finally, the gorgeous seawater is rich in magnesium, a key ingredient that not only relaxes muscles but supports lowering stress, while promoting deep, invigorating sleep.
Builds Resilience
Regularly challenging yourself to withstand cold temperatures may help you build resilience and self-confidence. Ocean dips are done in a controlled setting—you are running the situation, while still challenging yourself, which is ideal for anyone who struggles with anxiety. Knowing you can sit in cold water and meet your goal is incredibly inspiring and motivating. It builds courage and fortitude.
Happy, healthy-looking skin
This one may be a bit vain, but it's a benefit nonetheless! The seawater is rich in magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfates, which work as a natural support for skin helping it remain clear and youthful.
Try It Yourself
Doing ocean dips has been strikingly expansive. It’s been an important reminder of how capable and powerful I am. Every time I brace myself to enter the water, I am continuously impressed that my mind has learned to harness the power of dealing with such great discomfort. It’s opened my soul up and made me feel so incredibly alive. I leave the ocean feeling electric, and incredibly alert with a noticeable positive spike in my mood. It's given me something positive to focus on and I find myself looking forward to these therapeutic ocean dips.
It’s helped me so much that I will be carrying ocean dips with me well past April. I was so pleased I have felt stellar benefits in such a short period of time that I am really looking forward to experiencing the long-term benefits.
While I’ll be sticking to the ocean, you can do cold plunges in many ways—including at home in your shower, by turning the temperature to cold for even 10 seconds! There's no need to jump into too much. Build yourself up and see how you feel.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve tried ocean plunging or cold plunging of any type, and what you think. Is it something you'd be willing to try? Tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your wellness adventures and get cheered on.
Related Posts: 20 Tips for Better Workout Recovery, 10 Ways to De-Stress Now, Health Benefits of Hiking and Tips to Get Started
Marissa Del Mistro is a writer, editor, and always on the hunt for the perfect workout. Marissa absolutely loves trail running, dancing, and cycling. When she’s not writing, Marissa loves cooking, podcasts, traveling, and exploring her home in the beautiful unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ nations.
