Researchers from the University of Portsmouth are seeking swimmers to join a study on whether swimming in cold water can help with depression and anxiety.
This study builds on a successful trial from last year, where they looked for 480 swimmers to participate in an outdoor swimming project in locations like Shoreham in West Sussex and Christchurch in Dorset.
Dr Heather Massey, from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science and Extreme Environments Laboratories, is co-leading the study. She has been a keen open water swimmer for years, having completed a number of long-distance relay and solo swims including a solo swim of the English Channel.
She said: “Participants in the outdoor swimming group in the trial reported reductions in depression and anxiety, with some also showing decreased use of antidepressants and sleeping tablets. Now, we need to see if these results hold true on a larger scale. If outdoor swimming proves to be an effective and cost-efficient treatment, it could become a widely available option for people managing depression.”
Clara Strauss, Deputy Director of Research at Sussex Partnership and Professor of Clinical Psychology in the University of Sussex School of Psychology, said: "This is the first large trial of its kind that will tell us if outdoor swimming is helpful for people living with depression. If it is, this could increase the range of options available to people as they find their path to recovery."
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