Do People Really Go Ice Swimming

I have posted previously on The Sauna Customs in Finland.Well, some thing that may appeal to the more Extreme nature of some of you,came as a reminder to me from family members and friends.The sport or exercise is Winter Swimming,or as many say in Finland,Norway,Sweden,Estonia and many other countries,Ice Swimming.Many Finnish People and Researchers believe that it in fact that Ice swimming has multiple Health Benefits.

Ice Swimming For Health

Ice Swimming is believed to relieve Rheumatism pains,ease arthritis,keep colds and flu at bay and even help cure or prevent depression.Are you a person who suffers from Sinusitis or severe Headaches,suffering from poor sleep or simply do not feel invigorated any more.

Exiting Ice Hole

Followers of this practice os ice swimming have insisted, that by taking a quick bathe in the icy waters,I will yield results and my bodily health will improve.Now,as you know,I am a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer.So I have been listening to these opinions and have decided that come September/November,I shall be taking a quick plunge in to the icy Baltic Waters and taking up ice swimming.I am aiming to do it regularly for a start.Hopefully the Cold Finnish Waters can do more for me than my Neurologists(Not blaming them or any thing)

A dip in The Frozen Sea or Lake during The Arctic Winter may not appeal to most people,and may be seen by some as a form Masochism,but for many in Finland(estimates show 120,000)and around the World,ice swimming is a regular past time and form of helth exercise.

There are 10 such Ice  Swimming places(Avantouinti) reserved and maintained in Helsinki alone.It is a very simple,invigoating and special experience.The Finnish Skiing association and The Finnish Sauna Society keep two such places open.There are however many spots where you are able to swim.Though I believe for safety it is better to visit well maintained sites.

What is Ice Swimming(Avantouinti)

Basically is a hole cut in to the ice and kept clear.The better looked after places may insert steps in to the hole created,so as to enable an easy exit from the water.Many places will provide dressing rooms and if your in the right place some may have a sauna.Personally I use the sauna first and then plunge in to the cold water straight after coming out.My wife`s mother in law goes frequently,with out the need of the sauna.

What healing properties does it possess.

As a therapeutic method,ice  Swimming can alleviate or heal many diseases,Pulmonary Tuberculosis,High and Low Blood pressure,dermatosis and Radiculitis(which has to do with The Spinal Cord).I personally look to it being able to stimulate and invigorate my Central Nervous System.(Shock Therapy)

Researchers have found that immersing oneself in icy cold waters has produced a Positive Psychological effect on the subjects,not to mention the fact that it gives a feel good factor for the doers.

In recent studies of Rheumatic diseases,cold treatment was found to reduce aches and pains in joints,however it was only found to relieve the symptoms.It was not a cure.I am realistic enough to realise,that at the age of 46,a cure or treatment for PPMS(Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis)will not be found in my lifetime.

I shall endeavour to make the best of what I have and take up ice Swimming(Ice Swimming).I shall keep you up to date as and when this starts in Autumn.

As some one said to me”The First time is the worst,after that it is very,very fine”
VdiWeb This is what Ice Swimming is all about.Brings the body circulation back to life.Soif you are visiting Finland this  Winter,try at least once to try Ice Swimming

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