The past year has inspired lots of people to take up a new outdoor activity and it seems that wild swimming is all the rage with more and more people taking to the water on a regular basis.
Wild swimming is essentially swimming outdoors in natural spaces, such as rivers, lakes or the sea.
There is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that cold water swimming can help to improve mental wellbeing.
We have spoken to some wild swimming fans in Action Mental Health and they tell us that it really helps their mental health and wellbeing.
Safety
If you embark on any new physical activity, we recommend you first check with your GP to make sure it is safe.
Before starting a wild swim, it is crucial to undertake a risk assessment. Never swim alone and always swim within your limits. The risks increase considerably during the winter, when there is more swell and the water and air temperature is colder. However, the risks are present all year round.
Join the Northern Ireland Open Water Swimming Facebook Page or find out more on the Discover Northern Ireland Website!