Just five minutes in cold water can boost mood, research shows

The health benefits of cold-water immersion have been closely studied in recent years, thanks to the growing popularity of cold-water swimming. Now new research from the University of Chichester has found that as little as five minutes immersed in cold water can have almost the same benefits as much longer stints, helping provide a quick mood-boosting solution for physically fit people with low mood.

121 students who described themselves as experiencing low mood took part in a controlled trial, which tested the effect of cold-water immersion for 5, 10 and 20 minutes in seawater with a temperature of 13.6 C. The trial took place on the beach at West Wittering, with participants who were physically active and confident in the water, but none had previous experience of cold-water swimming or immersion practices.

All participants in the immersion groups completed a profile of their mood seven days before the trial and repeated this immediately after immersion. Results showed that cold-water immersion effectively improved mood across all durations tested – with a 5 minute dip almost as effective as 20 minutes in the water.

The research was co-authored by John Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Adventure Physiology, and Natalie Davidson from the University of Chichester and Joseph Delaney from Edge Hill University.

While cold-water immersion is considered safe in healthy, screened individuals under controlled conditions, caution is advised for anyone with pre-existing health conditions.