Who is Dr Suzanna Søberg?
When it comes to cold water swimming, one of the first names likely to pop up on Google is Wim Hof. But have you heard of Dr Suzanna Søberg?
Dr Suzanna Søberg is a Danish scientist who is leading the way in research into the body's metabolism during cold and heat therapy. Showcasing the benefits of hitting this thermal ‘sweet spot’ for reducing stress and cultivating improvement in health, sleep and all-around body performance.
“There was a time when I found very cold water difficult to endure, but now I’ve become a winter swimmer and the cold bothers me much less. If a popsicle like me can learn to winter swim, anyone can. It’s a question of mindset” - Dr Suzanna Søberg
Winter Swimming
The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life is a cold water swimming book that was published in 2022 and is currently available in hardback. It is a beautifully presented book. Full of glorious pictures that make you long to go to any Nordic country and jump into the nearest icy lake.
As a dyslexic reader, I found the layout of this book extremely easy to digest. In each section of the book, the good doctor talks the reader through the science in a way that is clear for anyone to read. At the end of the chapter, there are review bullet points to cement the learning.
But it’s not all about the cold. Dr Suzanna Søberg argues in the book that using the two extremes of cold water and hot saunas is the best way for the body to essentially go back to basics. Adding in a bit of exercise, more water and a better diet we could adopt the natural way of living our ancestors enjoyed, and what a lot of people in Denmark and other Nordic countries do, day in and day out.
Brown Fat
The chapter on brown fat was something that I found very interesting and will be keen to keep an eye on scientific developments in this field of study.
Brown fat was first documented in 1551 by naturalist Conrad Gessner. The construction of the brown fat cell means that it draws sugar and fat in from the bloodstream and once used, that is instantly released as heat. Through scientific study, brown fat has been shown to be activated by cold exposure and through that activation, more brown fat is created. This could be great news for people with type 2 diabetes.
In the book, she often states that the research into the health benefits is still in its infancy but the signs are looking promising and exciting. Who wouldn’t want to know of a non-medical route out of type 2 diabetes, mental health problems and a possible preventative to dementia? All signs point to the positive adoption of cold and hot exposure.
Book Summary
My top takeaways from the book are:
- The field of scientific research into cold water swimming is pretty damn exciting and still only in its infancy
- I need to up my sauna trips alongside my cold water swims
- The body is capable of miraculous things. As Søberg says ‘BE TENACIOUS’. Life can throw obstacles in your way but the body does remember. If you aren’t consistent with your dipping, don’t give up. Like she says ‘...think of it as a pause….The body remembers cold water shock for a very long time… [it] means that you won't be starting from square one when you do venture back in
- The cold is my friend. With cold water, I can improve my sleep, mood, metabolism, lung capacity, and potentially ward off a whole host of other illnesses. And the science is backing this up
- The book however did make me very envious of the Nordic swimming culture when I compared it with the public provisions in the UK. The scope is huge especially if the government invests in it as a preventative to health conditions that are putting a strain on the NHS… but enough politics
Understanding the science behind the body's reaction to cold and hot exposure is, for me at least, fascinating. Søberg has explained it in a way that anyone can understand and with that comes power. For those dipping their toes into the cold water for the first time, or reaching 5 minutes in the sauna and thinking they have to escape, knowing why your body is reacting that way can instantly negate the panic. Your mind is then in control because you understand. Becoming more self-aware about your body and knowing how to adjust your mindset is the best way to recover and better yourself for the days ahead. So thank you Dr. Suzanna Søberg for giving me that power. I look forward to following more of her work and insights as the scientific world opens its doors more to the joy of open-water swimming.
10/10
Check out our blog post if you would like to know more about the Benefits of Cold Water Swimming.
