Splash happy!

BRAIN: A 2014 study found submersing yourself in water up to chest height can boost blood flow to the brain by 14%, improving its function. Other research has linked swimming for as little as 20 minutes with better memory skills.

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Scientists at Cambridge University even found a protein in the brains of cold water swimmers known to help slow the onset of dementia.

Swimming has also been found to help build new neural pathways which have the effect of reducing stress levels, according to a study reported in the journal Hippocampus.

A YouGov poll found nearly half a million people reckon regular swimming has improved their mental health conditions. The activity is believed to help improve sleep patterns too.

NOSE: Regular exercise can perk up your immune system and keep bugs at bay. But cold water swimming is especially good for this, according to a Czech study. It raises adrenaline levels so the body floods the blood vessels with special cells to fight infection.

HEART: A report by the Swimming and Health Commission found regular swimming sessions lower the risk of death due to heart disease and stroke by 41%.