Across the UK, a quiet shift in midlife exercise is underway. A decade ago, the cultural image of midlife fitness was the Lycra-clad cyclist speeding along suburban roads. Now, a different scene has emerged: women in hats and tow-floats stepping into freezing lakes at dawn – especially through the winter.

Outdoor swimming participation has risen sharply worldwide, and women make up a striking proportion of regular year-round swimmers. To many observers, this seems counterintuitive. Why would busy women in midlife choose cold water as their weekly reset?

A new qualitative study published in the European Journal of Ecopsychology set out to understand what this practice does for wellbeing – not just physically, but psychologically. Rather than simply asking swimmers how they feel, the research examined “flourishing”. This is a term from positive psychology that describes a sense of thriving. It includes positive relationships, confidence, vitality, emotional balance and coping with........

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