Hi Kelli, I belong to a open water/cold water swimming group at Walden Pond outside Boston. Some of my fellow crazies swim winter-round. I have found what you said about staying near shower and immersing in the water to be highly relaxing and anxiety-reducing. I literally meditate in the water. I will link this article to one I am writing on 5 Techniques to energize yourself on days that suck. Hope they do more research and people find the joy of the cold water swim. Thank you! Mark