Down on your luck? The icy waters of Lake Washington are ready to heal you. A mundane, typical day at Garfield can transform into a marvellous experience with a chilly pre-first period dip.
The medicinal use of cold therapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt where the first known mention of the benefits of cold exposure can be found. For health reasons, Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all regularly took cold baths. In recent decades, the cultural phenomenon known as “polar plunging” has gained traction with big names such as Wim Hof, a Dutch athlete and motivational speaker who believes commitment, breathing and cold water are the key to a super immune system.
In the Nordic countries, cold plunging is typically paired with saunas to push your body to both extremes. This is a common pastime in the winter months and it provides a plethora of benefits. Alternating between the extreme heat of saunas and frigid depths of cold water increases the body’s circulation and triggers the release of anti-stress hormones. Although the luxury of owning a sauna is not available to all, Lake Washington is quite convenient for those daring to take the risk.
If you find it hard to roll out of bed in the first place, a switch in your routine to jumping in the lake might be what’s missing. I found the drive along Lake Washington boulevard a scenic and calming start to my day while I watched the sun peak above the snowy cascade mountains. As far as locating a polar plunge spot, there is a large range of docks along the lake but I chose the most convenient to my house, the T-dock just south of Madrona beach. Throughout my many lake jumps I’ve learned that the best way to do it is to jump right in upon arrival without skipping a beat. Overthinking is the real setback here, you just need to take that leap of faith.
According to data collected from King County buoys, the current water temperature of Lake Washington is 46 degrees fahrenheit. (For comparison, in the summer the lake can reach around 75 degrees) At this temperature, drowning due to cold water shock is a real risk. For first timers or less experienced swimmers, wading in can be a better option. However, especially in the winter months the water level is much lower, and it can be a long walk out to get to deep enough water.
After taking the leap of faith and plunging in, a jolt of adrenaline is pumped through your body and the immediate reaction is to panic and swim to the ladder. The key is to remain calm and maintain your cool (literally). Just as Wim Hof teaches, with deep breaths your body can adjust and take control of the normally unconscious breathing process.
The best days I’ve had have been those that begin with an icy swim in the lake. It truly removes the anxieties and stress from your brain and replaces it with a new sense of optimism and pleasant calmness. You never know, the freezing lake might just be what’s missing in your life.
