BENEFITS OF TAKING THE PLUNGE

Going for a dip doesn’t just aid your waistline, it boosts your wellbeing, too. Here’s how:

IMPROVES MOOD Being outdoors can boost our mood, says researchers, and help with mental health problems. Going for open water gives an added fun factor.

BUILDS FRIENDSHIPS Swimming with other people builds social relationships, which is also very good news for our health. SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH Outside pool? While swimming isn’t an ‘impact’ exercise (recommended to help build healthy bones), the extra UV light on our skin produces bone-strengthening vitamin D, even on cloudy days. Just remember to wear waterproof sunblock, and reapply after a swim.