What are the Benefits of Ice swimming?

Question

I heard that people swim in the water 23 degrees below Zero and they like swimming in cold, freezing water... What are the Health benefits of swimming in the winter?

Answer 1

Swimmers say it makes them feel fresh throughout the day, some even claim it helps build resistance to the common flu.

It is called Avantouinti in the Finnish language and very popular in Finland.

There are other practices that are similar like Dousing which involves pouring ice cold water over the body which also (according to those that do it) provides health benefits.