open water swimming

[Gardenlover2020]

Hello,

I’m just wondering if any fellow IBS suffers have tried open water /wild swimming for help with chronic pain issues associated with IBS ?

[Luisa22]

I have been wild swimming many times, but a long time before I had IBS. (well I think so anyway, though looking back, I am now wondering if I had some IBS possibly when I was s child and teenager as I had belly problems sometimes then.)

But anyway I have never tried it as a help for my current IBS. I haven't been swimming for many many years. I'm not really into it. Water, and all! I prefer woods, and fields and dry land.

But it may help you so do it if you feel you'd like to. Life is too short to deprive ourselves of any adventure we'd like to do.

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Luisa22]

Thank you , it is an adventure, I’ll pluck up the courage & go !

[Ginnie2018]

yes . It certainly does !

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Ginnie2018]

Does it really , I was hoping it might , in what ways has it helped you please ?

[Ginnie2018 in reply to Gardenlover2020]

With motility issues in general. It’s also natures adhesion massage . For me personally ocean swimming is also very meditative. Unfortunately I’m not able swim in very cold water as I feel it hurts my stomach more . But I do for 3 months as I live close to the sea and even the 3 months is more that 18/19 degrees if ever .

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Ginnie2018]

Thank you that’s encouraging, I’ve booked in for tomorrow!

[Coachmanbythesea]

Morning Gardenlover2020!

Cold water swimming is the best! I’m fortunate enough to live by the sea; there’s a group that have a daily swim so as often as I can I join them. For me the benefits are enormous; it calms my system down immediately especially if I’m having a bit of a rubbish phase. There’s lots of information online about how/why it helps, it seems to be the ‘cold shock’ that resets the body & mind. If you can, give it a try!

[MountainHare1]

The closest l have come to wild swimming is taking regular cold showers which helps with my anxiety and in turn helps with my IBS. I also try to go swimming in a boring swimming pool twice a week.

Unfortunately I am not a strong swimmer so l reluctant to go wild swimming but does appeal. I am confident that going wild swimming will help you enormously with managing your IBS.

[Luisa22]

I think getting into cold water is a big stimulus for the Vagus Nerve, and can have a very positive effect on Vagal tone, which possibly might help IBS.

[Gardenlover2020]

Thank you everyone for all your positive comments , I’m booked in for a beginner’s lesson tomorrow !