Benefits of a Winter Swim

Some may think swimming during the winter is contradictory because of how cold it is. From firsthand experience, I can tell you—it is cold. Very cold, especially when you step out of the water. Despite the chill, my teammates and I—15 dedicated swimmers from Socorro High School—show up almost every evening to spend two hours swimming our hearts out.

For me, a winter swim is a way to leave the day behind. The moment my body hits the water and I begin gliding through it, the chlorine seems to wash away the weight of the day’s emotions. Imagine having the worst day: failing a test, spilling lunch on yourself, or missing a homework assignment. In the pool, none of that matters. As the water moves across your body, it lifts the burdens you’ve been carrying. There’s something almost magical about it. I walk into the pool feeling one way and emerge feeling renewed. A winter swim soothes the mind and leaves you feeling as light as the crisp winter air.

Swimming in these conditions certainly pushes the body to its limits, activating muscles in new and challenging ways. But more importantly, it frees the mind, releasing the tension that builds up throughout the day. The pool works wonders for both my mental and physical well-being, and I am deeply grateful to the Socorro High School swim team for giving me the opportunity to share this experience with such an incredible group of people.