Does anyone else find that looking at or walking by water can have a calming effect.
I had a lovely weekend on our boat this weekend. It is the first we have managed to do it this year.
We are in a marina but I took this picture as we walked along by the river in the early evening. We then had a lovely meal at a beautiful pub overlooking the peaceful wide river with dinghies darting by in local races.
Being able to look a long way across water makes my spirits rise and I always feel calmer for a short while.
We sail and often anchor in little quiet wooded bays where we can swim from the boat then chill out with a meal and a bottle of wine in the cockpit afterwards. We just chill out watching the boats go by and waving at friends on their boats.
Does anyone else enjoy wild swimming? That is the ultimate in lifting your mood as it releases natural feel good chemicals and I find the effects of this can last for the rest of the day. I swam from the beach yesterday and a seal swam by while I was in the water. We have lots of grey and common seals on our Suffolk river as well as cormorants, oyster catchers, Shelduck and king fishers to name just a few.
I hope you all have a good or at least bearable week, be great to hear others experiences of the natural world.
Very best wishes.
Kim
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Kkimm
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If you do you could start by doing that and build up to wild swimming.
What is it that makes you nervous about wild swimming. Most people find it difficult so you are not alone but for lots of different reasons so if you tell me what worries you about it I may be able to offer some advice.
Yes when I spend time by or in the river or the ocean or any body of water I can only remember it as being calming and good. In fact I’m headed to the ocean today. Not long ago I saw a book on how being near or in water is healing. Now my interest is peeked. Thanks for sharing, Kim. I’m a wee bit envious of you 😉💗💗💗💗
Thank you for your good wishes. Actually, I like swimming anywhere. A pool is closest, however. My frustration is that sometimes I still feel anxious after all that activity. Ideas? Focus is an issue for me. Need to be more patient with myself, I guess
I understand that water temperature is important and from what others are saying there may be other aspects to swimming in a large body of wild water. I definitely do not feel a relief of anxiety as much or at all if I swim in a pool and I had always assumed it related to temperature but there could be more to it than that.
I do not know if focus comes into it. I think focus may be more likely to cause rather than cure the problem because over focussing on feeling better by doing any activity is likely to have the opposite effect. I think perhaps do not try to achieve anything by it, try to just relax and be and if you feel better that is great but don't worry at all if not. All that matters is that you do it and you will in the long run gain from it.
I have now read the article and find it really interesting. I wild swim all summer and have stayed clear of anxiety and depression also. I did see the programme at the time it was broadcast. I find that my ability to get into cold water remains for a few months as implied here.
I think however what is really interesting us that it may have a carry over effect beyond a few hours after the swim. When I became really ill suddenly after a life trauma it was the one thing that really brought relief before the antidepressants kicked in fully about 4 months later. However terrible I felt I would swim in the sea and feel both immediate and lasting relief for an hour or two. I also recovered from GAD and Depression very quickly and have stayed well.
I love cold water swimming but tend to only be able to do it during the summer. I am going to try to use plunge pools etc at pools so that I can continue it all year having read this article.
Thanks so much for sending it. Do you wild swim yourself?
I swam in that pond ‘Hampstead Heath’ during the summer. 18c I went in April it was 11c. I couldn’t bare the pain for more than 1 minute.
I need to be careful anyway as I have heart failure. The shock of cold water could be dangerous.
There are people in their 80s swim there every day. The water temperature is 1c in frosty winters. You have to acclimatise yourself to reach that level probable starting in spring/summer.
I now swim in an outdoor heated pool 28c. The anxiety relief afterwards for a few hours as you say is great.
Post exercise euphoria.
Check out the endocannabinoid system we all have that not many are aware of and how it controls many bodily functions.
Kkimm, one of the things I miss the most is the place I used to live. My island of Puerto Rico in front of the ocean. The sound of the waves and just sitting in the porch looking at the blue sea, had a wonderful calming effect on me. At night you could see the moonlight reflection and it was like medicine to my anxious nights. How I miss it!!! Thank you for the pic. Take care! M
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lovely pic x
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