{"id":879,"date":"2024-05-19T11:48:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T10:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ninetoalive.co.uk\/?p=879"},"modified":"2024-05-29T09:41:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T08:41:23","slug":"sheffields-dipping-duo-improving-mens-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/ninetoalive\/2024\/05\/19\/sheffields-dipping-duo-improving-mens-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield\u2019s dipping duo improving men’s mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet the Sheffield Dippers, two men swapping Saturday morning hangovers for an ice-cold immersion in the Peak District to better men’s mental health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it began…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tom Clancy and Josh were hiking in the peaks, attempting to clear their heads, bogged down from their nine to fives. On what was a chilly afternoon in September, Josh took it upon himself to jump into the freezing peak district water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Josh said: \u201cI’d been looking into the benefits of cold water immersion online, and I said to Tom \u2018right, that’s it, I’m gonna jump in\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTom didn’t think I was going to. Next thing you know, I take off my clothes, leaving my boxers on of course, and I jumped in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI loved it. It was instantly a good feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Tom was reluctant to follow, he eventually joined Josh for an ice-cold immersion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hated it the first time, but then, when I got out I did feel good and then we just decided we’ll keep doing it every weekend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the duo\u2019s start they invited more and more Sheffield locals to attend their weekend dips and eventually created an Instagram account to get \u2018as many men involved as possible\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The daytime tradees have since adopted the responsibility of bettering men’s mental and physical health<\/a> across the city of Sheffield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As cold water immersion grows in popularity, their page, @sheffielddippers<\/a> has grown to over four thousand followers with groups of men heading down to dip at seven o\u2019clock on a Saturday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous recognition…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of which, was World\u2019s Strongest Man Luke Stoltman<\/a> who braved the cold whilst in Sheffield for the Britain\u2019s Strongest Man competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Murphy and I went down to Rivelin to experience cold water dipping ourselves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The cold water dip became more than a challenge of endurance. Tom hailed the \u2018social benefits\u2019 of the weekly meeting too, getting men away from the \u2018stereotypical, British drinking culture\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to get together and do something different from being in the pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd just like behind you here you’ve got four lads who had never met you before, just all talking away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor some people they want to get things off their chest and this cold water helps that and helps them mentally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mental and physical health benefits have been scientifically proven and are cited by groups across the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veterans advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even as a experienced dipper Joe explained how the cold water never gets easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt never gets any easier. It’s just a mental game really. I’ve driven here before thinking, it’s cold today and it’s taken me forever to get in,\u201d Josh said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut if you come with a rate mentality, it is easier. Trust me it does not get any warmer!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the water maintaining its challenge Tom did provide us with tips as to make the dip more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTry to stay calm, keep breathing,\u201d Tom told Nine To Alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe invested in Neoprene gloves<\/a>, they help, however, your main focus should be to control your breath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dippers encouraged anybody struggling \u2018mentally or socially\u2019 to join them also pushing a message of acceptance for any men who want to come down even if it is your first attempt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to hike they also offer a \u2018steady walk and talk\u2019 every other Sunday in the Peak District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe’re a welcoming group of lads and, for the mental side of things, look at some benefits of what cold water can actually do for you, the good feeling, the euphoria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know a lot of men, they’re going to work through the week, spend time with their family on a weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey don’t really get out much and socialise. I know some men don’t have many friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust having a feeling like they’re part of something. Like Josh has come here, socialise. No one judges anyone. It’s all positive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are in the Sheffield area you can contact the @sheffielddippers Instagram to get involved with their weekend dips, hikes and pub socials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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