Winter Swimming cover art

Winter Swimming

The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life

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Winter Swimming

By: Dr Susanna Søberg, Elizabeth DeNoma - translator
Narrated by: Lucy Paterson
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About this listen

A beautiful exploration of cold-water traditions in Scandinavia and around the world, and a thorough account of why it provides such a boost to body and soul.

Whether in lake, lido, river or sea, we know the benefits of swimming outdoors and in nature—environmentally friendly and accessible, it can influence our happiness, our energy and our inner tranquillity. Winter Swimming takes this one step further, as contact with cold water all year round can also have a significant positive impact on our physical health, confidence and well-being.

Danish scientist Susanna Søberg leads us step by step into the icy water and explains the 'cold-shock response', the massive endorphin rush as our body reacts and adapts. Not only do our circulation, heart, lungs and skin respond positively, but our immune system and metabolism too. Most specifically she explains how our 'brown fat' is activated to benefit multiple health conditions.

Winter Swimming is both a beautiful exploration of cold-water traditions in Scandinavia and around the world, and a thorough account of why it provides such a boost to body and soul.

©2019 Susanna Søberg (P)2022 Quercus Editions Limited Europe Hygiene & Healthy Living Water Sports Winter Sports Sports Health Heartfelt Swimming Extreme Sports Nutrition

Critic Reviews

"Loads of practical guidance, all the scientific studies, it's got some beautiful photos and illustrations. It's really going to shine a light on just how many organs in the body are positively affected." (Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Feel Better, Live More podcast)

"Full of brilliant insights on the cold-shock response and its benefits for mood and the immune system, Winter Swimming is an inspiring book that will keep people working out all through the darkest months." (Stylist Christmas Gift Guide 2022)

"It's all the encouragement you need to dip a toe in icy waters." (Woman and Home)
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I'm a cold water swimmer and thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narrator suited the text, which is vital for me. The text had a great mix of facts, philosophy and anecdotes.
If you're a cold water swimmer or curious, then this book is perfect.

Best audiobook I've heard in a while

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Unlike the reviews I read before buying, I did not love the narrator - I found her OTT exclamations & almost shrieks (about cold water - oh! oh! oh!) a bit annoying. And I found the English accent grated when the story was written by a Dane & set in Denmark.

The story itself was fairly repetitive - the same info presented over & over in between anecdotes & scientific facts. There WAS some interesting info - but you had to pick it out & piece it together yourself.

A fairly large chunk of the book is about Saunas (& their effects). Which is fine if you're cold water swimming also includes saunas - just be aware the book isn't solely about winter swimming, but also the culture of Danish swim clubs (which includes saunas).

Overall it was interesting & gave me the information I was hoping for (benefits, things to avoid etc). I think I would have enjoyed it more with a different narrator & a slightly clearer structure.

A bit repetitive

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I had been in a dozen or so ice baths in the past 12 months and knew the positive effects on my own body and mind. This book satisfied my scientific curiosity so much that I just purchased my Odin ice bath for permanent use at home. Next step a sauna. Highly recommended for those curious and passionate about their health.

Brilliant information on the science of cold (and heat)

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The audiobook was brilliant . I found it was very neatly narrated throughout . I did enjoy the science behind cold water and its effects on the human body and mind as Dr Susanna Soberg is an expert in this area. I also enjoyed the personal stories from personal experiences Susanna has researched in winter swimming . The book is showing groundbreaking research into what brown fat in humans is and how it can be very healthy utilizing cold water plunging or swimming can help generate more of this special fat that has so many great physiological health benefits. I say to those already cold plunging or winter swimming you can and well learn alot from this incredibly insightful author .

A very cool audiobook

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