Why You Need To Try A Christmas Day Swim This Year

Much of the magic of the festive period comes from your longstanding traditions. Whether you always take the dog for a walk to a favourite spot or add something unique to your Christmas dinner that the celebrations would now never be complete without, it’s these little festivities that the whole family look forward to. 

However, there’s also a certain charm in mixing up your Christmas Day plans and adding new events into the mix. One such tradition that has really grown in popularity over the past couple of years is a Christmas Day swim. As the perfect way to start your celebrations on the right note and add a splash to the occasion, here’s why you should take the plunge this Christmas.

Spend Time With Loved Ones…

Braving the cold is a great excuse to get the whole family (kids included!) out and about and spend quality time together before settling down on the sofa before the rest of the festivities. The memories you make with this kind of shared experience are ones that you will treasure for a long time. In fact, the kids might even enjoy it so much that they ask to make a Christmas Day swim a regular feature of the day. 

A Christmas Day swim is also a fantastic way to see friends and swimming buddies who otherwise wouldn’t be part of your plans. Setting aside just an hour or so to get in the water with these loved ones can help you share some cheer and extend your celebrations to those you really want to see on such an anticipated day. 

… Or Embrace A Chance To Escape From The Chaos

However, not every part of Christmas needs to be loud, bustling and sociable. Christmas Day can be quite challenging or overwhelming for a lot of different reasons, and making plans to get in the water at some point during the day may be just the escape you need. A Christmas Day swim is a brilliant way to clear your mind and have a positive and energised day, whether you are spending it alone or just need some time to ground yourself before bickering and board games.

Enjoy The Health Benefits

Beyond the novelty factor of taking a dip in the cold water, there are genuine physical and mental health benefits to a Christmas Day swim. Being submerged in cold water helps to boost circulation and release those all-important endorphins. This process helps a Christmas Day swim to become a serious mood booster and keeps you going throughout all of the festivities. It’s also nice to know you’ve done something physically active before enjoying the indulgence that characterises this time of year. 

Support A Good Cause

In keeping with it being the season of giving, many people take part in a Christmas Day swim as a way of supporting a charity. Across the UK, there are plenty of organised events for this exact purpose, but there’s also no harm in dedicating your own, independent swim to a cause that means something to you. By doing so, you can give back to your community and make a difference to those in need this Christmas - all while having an experience that will see your Christmas Day become more enjoyable than ever before. 

Chance To Try Out Your New Gear

If there’s one thing that stays the same no matter how old you get, it’s the underlying urge to try out your Christmas presents as soon as you get them! Whether you’ve asked for a Red changing robe, are wishing for a new waterproof kit bag, or anticipating that your stocking might contain a new beanie for that post-swim warm-up, why not make a plan to show off your new gear straight away with a Christmas Day swim?

We’re certain your loved ones (and Santa Claus himself) will love to see how well their gifts have gone down - they might even join you in the water!