The science behind Boxing Day and New Year dips which keep people coming back
The Christmas period is a time of giving – whether that’s buying gifts for your nearest and dearest, or donating or volunteering for charity.
But far from chucking spare change into the nearest Salvation Army donation tin or spending some time at the local food bank, some people choose to fling themselves into the freezing cold sea.
Boxing Day and New Year’s Day dips are growing in popularity, with more and more people – often clad in Santa hats, reindeer antlers or snowman costumes – taking the plunge.
From Weymouth to Ramsgate, Sunderland to Llandudno, there are dips held up and down the country, and their rise in popularity seems to coincide with an increasing interest in wild swimming, where swimmers ditch the leisure centre in favour of local rivers, lakes and the sea.
But what is it about taking dips in the cold sea that keep people coming back for more, every year? Why raise money for charity in this way when a sponsored silence or taking part in Movember could do the trick? Metro investigates.
Ryan Hope organises the Christmas Harbour Swim in Weymouth, which raises money for charities through the local Lions club.
He described the event as an ‘unmissable celebration of festive fun, community pride, and charitable generosity’ as thousands of people gather to cheer on hundreds of swimmers each year.
Jenny Urwin is co-founder of Warmcor, a company producing open water swimming gear.
She said she was ‘bundled in neoprene from head to toe’ during her first ever New Year’s Day dip, looking on in awe and shock at a mother-and-daughter duo who braved the plunge in just their standard swimwear, or skins.
‘That first dip on New Year’s Day threw down a personal gauntlet. I wanted to become like that mother and daughter: comfortable enough to swim in skins on the coldest day of the year,’ Jenny told Metro.
‘My “I could never do that” slowly transformed into “I only do that”. Now swimming in skins isn’t just a dare, it’s a revitalising rush you can’t get anywhere else.
‘Cold water triggers a cascade of happy hormones that leave you feeling euphoric and energised long after you’ve left the water.
‘Exposure to cold water also activates the vagus nerve, which can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve overall cardiovascular health.
‘Regular dips have been shown to strengthen your immune system, making you more resilient to seasonal bugs.
‘But the real magic lies in the mental shift: after braving that invigorating chill, it’s hard not to think, “If I can do this, what else can I achieve?”
‘Cold water swimming isn’t just about braving the chill—it’s about finding joy, resilience, and a sense of belonging that stays with you long after you’ve dried off.’
So it seems there are plenty of ways regular cold water swimming could improve your physical health, making the prospect of a Boxing Day dip slightly more appealing.
How to stay safe while wild swimming
Nick Ayers, RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘Cold water shock is a very real danger for anyone entering water that is 15°C or below while hypothermia can also pose a risk, especially at this time of year when temperatures continue to drop.
‘We’re asking everyone to be aware of what they can do to keep themselves and others safe and to Respect the Water.
‘The effects of cold water, combined with weather conditions and any personal health issues should be taken seriously before venturing in.
‘There are a number of precautions you can take to help ensure you have an enjoyable and safe time.
‘Avoid swimming alone, consider going with others or joining a group so you can look out for each other.
‘Think about the depth of water and if you can, stay in your depth. Wear a bright swim cap and use a tow float to make yourself visible to others. For those venturing in for the first time, we’d recommend visiting a health care professional before you go in.
‘The most important thing to remember is if you are in any doubt, stay out of the water and if you or anyone else does get into trouble in or on the water please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
‘Even the well prepared can find themselves in difficultly but having the correct knowledge and equipment can save lives.
‘If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, float on your back, ears submerged and try to relax and breathe normally, gently moving your hands to stay afloat if you need to.
‘Once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.’
RNLI safety tips for taking a winter swim or dip:
Before you go:
- Cold water immersion does have risks, speak to doctor first, especially if you have a health condition.
- Assess the conditions before getting in. If it is too rough for swimming, don’t get in.
In the water:
- Wear a wetsuit and brightly coloured swim cap, take a tow float and a means of calling for help with you.
- Acclimatise slowly to reduce the risk of cold-water shock.
But what about the mental health benefits?
Psychotherapist Laura Greenwood first discovered wild swimming in 2020, following the birth of her baby the year before.
After feeling like she ‘totally lost herself’, she describes wild swimming as ‘a piece of the puzzle’ to help her find herself again.
She told Metro: ‘The first time I tried it, I remember reflecting “I THINK I enjoyed it” but honestly, I was not quite sure.
‘As someone who hates being cold, it felt odd to me. But there was something about the experience it gave me that kept drawing me back.
‘I had a love/hate relationship with the experience until I fell completely in love. My love for wild swimming, I would say, found me.
‘When I am feeling completely emotionally and physically dysregulated because of inner turmoil, wild swimming is sometimes the only thing that truly shifts it.
‘It wakes both my physical body, mind and soul up. It helps me recognise that all is well and will be OK. For that, I cannot thank wild swimming enough.’
And why do people go back for more, taking part in charity dips or just getting involved in wild swimming over and over?
Katherine Cavallo, a psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy, told Metro: ‘Studies have shown that wild swimming can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, whilst increasing serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, associated with feelings of happiness and relaxation, and alleviating symptoms of anxiety.
‘Swimmers talk of an instantaneous and profound feeling of calm; a sense of being present and alive akin to mindfulness.
‘Wild swimmers describe a feeling of exhilaration, or even euphoria, which has positively addictive qualities. Many describe it as life changing.
‘You only have to see the look on the faces of those jumping about in the waves on New Year’s Day to get a sense of what brings people back again and again.’
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