Cold water swimming for the prevention of Dementia and Depression

2026-07-22

The WHO has identified dementia and depression as two of the most serious health issues in adults 50+. Early and innovative research has found that cold water swimming could slow the onset of dementia and even repair some of the damage it causes. There is emerging research that cold water swimming could prevent or treat depression and pursuing cold-swimming regularly lead to an immediate improvement in mood. There may be chemical benefit to cold-water swimming, as well as the benefits of the outdoors, exercise, routine, and potential social interaction. This activity may represent an important non-pharmaceutical method for treating depression and similar disorders COL.D.D. project aims to: _ use the method of cold-water-swimming to prevent the development or the progression of dementia and depression in adults aged 50 and over; _ develop and test the methodology that can change the approach towards the treatment of depression and dementia in adults _provide professionals working with adults with an innovative method to combat depression and dementia. _ spread a useful method that can be applied all around Europe _increasing the cooperation of different type of organisations in combatting depression and preventing dementia in adults over 50 years of age Target groups: _Professionals working with adults such as psychologists, health workers, and social workers. _Adults (especially between the ages of 50 and 70), particularly those at-risk of developing depression. Project results: _A manual with guidelines for the use of safe cold-water swimming, breath control, and mindfulness to prevent dementia and to prevent and treat depression. _A series of workshops utilizing the project method _A research paper documenting the empirical research investigating the potential for the project methods to improve mood and alleviate depressive symptoms.

Belgium

2025-12-01