Ice swimming

Now, just a minute. Before you scroll on in shivering horror, reaching for another jumper at the very thought of breaking ice to plunge into zero degree water, reflect a little. It may sound crazy, but ice swimming is getting ever trendier, as more and more swimmers tap into the health benefits of this ultimate Scandi sport. A few minutes' splashing about in cold water burns calories, boosts your circulation, busts stress, depression and inflammatory illnesses like rheumatism, and even warms you up...once you get out of the water, anyway! We're not sure we'd recommend the full "ice kilometre" (though people do do it: the world record's 12 minutes and 15 seconds, apparently). But next time you're in Finland, Lapland or on the shores of Loch Lomond, and a local suggests a dunk in an ice hole, give it a try – just think how good that shot of Salmiakki will taste afterwards!