Outdoor cold-water immersion supported short-term improvements in adolescents’ moods Rising rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns among adolescents highlight a need for strategies that young people can use to strengthen their mental well-being. Outdoor cold-water immersion (CWI) is an increasingly popular activity with potential to offer mental health benefits. CWI involves immersing the body up to the neck in water at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or lower. Outdoor CWI has been shown to offer mental and physical health benefits in adult populations, including strengthened immune function, reduced inflammation, and improved ability to cope with stress. Participating in CWI group activities may help reduce social isolation and may provide additional nature-related health benefits. This exploratory study examined the short-term impacts of CWI on adolescents’ mood to assess its potential “as a self-sustaining intervention for both the prevention and management of mental health concerns among adolescents.”
A total of 80 adolescents participated in a single half-day CWI group intervention. The participants included three groups containing a total of 62 adolescents in Norway (aged 16-17 years) and one group of 18 adolescents in the U.K. (aged 14-15 years). Only healthy adolescents who were confident in their ability to safely immerse themselves in cold water were eligible to participate in the study. Assessments of mood were conducted pre- and post-intervention using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The POMS questionnaire assesses Total Mood Disturbance (overall emotional state) and consists of seven subscales to measure anger, confusion, depression, exhaustion, tension, liveliness, and esteem-related affect. Prior to swimming, the course organizer explained the physical and physiological effects of cold water to help participants understand the purpose of the activity. The groups also engaged in outdoor physical activity as a warm-up. The CWI activity was conducted as a supervised, group immersion for a few minutes in shallow water between ten and 14 degrees Celsius. Immersion sites included a lake, sheltered beach, and open ocean. After participants returned to an indoor location, participants completed the POMS questionnaire, responded to questions about their experience, and indicated their interest in participating in CWI in the future. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare changes in questionnaire scores before and after the intervention.
The combined results of all groups revealed reductions in negative moods (tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and confusion) and increased positive moods (esteem-related affect and vigor) after the CWI intervention. The combined Total Mood Disturbance scores significantly decreased, suggesting that the intervention had a positive impact on overall mood. Comparison of scores between the Norway and the U.K. groups indicated that participants in both countries experienced reductions in all negative mood dimensions, increased positive moods, and decreased overall Total Mood Disturbance scores after the CWI intervention. Differences between groups were not statistically tested due to the small sizes of individual groups. Additionally, 95% of participants reported that they enjoyed the intervention and would “definitely” or “maybe” try CWI in the future. Participants indicated that they would be more likely to continue CWI if they had the opportunity to do it with friends, if it was a part of their routine or school day (such as during physical education), and if swimming areas were nearby.
The study offers an initial exploration of the potential of CWI to support adolescents' mental health and well-being. Findings suggest that CWI had a positive effect on all aspects of mood and that the experience was perceived to be enjoyable. The study only examined mood and did not assess other components of well-being that contribute to mental health; therefore, the long-term impacts of CWI remain unclear. Nonetheless, the study provides “substantial justification for further research into the impact of outdoor cold-water immersion on the mental health of adolescents.” Future research might utilize experimental designs, include diverse populations, and examine the long-term mental health impacts of CWI to determine the intervention’s effectiveness in preventing and treating mental health issues.
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