Photos of my weekend on the river.Wild swimming, a bit like antidepressants, you have to go through the pain before you get the benefits.

[Kkimm]

Does anyone else love water? I adore all aspects of it. The sight of it, sound of it, the feel of it when swimming, even the smell of it if it is clean. Water is essential for all living things. No wonder the ancient moorish palaces and houses had to have trickling, sparkling water in their gardens which represented paradise to them. They were an oasis in a desert land. A peaceful garden with a pool or fountain in which to feel closer to their God.

There is no better experience in my view than snorkeling or diving on a coral reef and seeing the dazzling spectacle of corals, anenomies, a myriad fishes and sealife in rainbow colours. Even their names are amazing, Powder blue sergeant, Angel fish, Seahorse and the Clown fish of Finding Nemo. The rise in sea temperatures means that our children or grandchildren may never get to see this sight. There is so much out there that is bigger and more significant than we are.

The photos below are from my weekend sailing on my beautiful Suffolk river estuary. We swam in the bay in the bottom right hand corner of this collage. It was so hot I kept expecting to see a flock of scarlet parrots fly over any minute.

Swimming in cold water is so relaxing and invigorating that you emerge feeling that you have just had a wonderful massage. Give it a try if you can get to the seaside or a clean lake or river which is safe to swim in. An outdoor pool or city lido is just as good. The water temperature is so perfect at the moment.

For people not used to getting into cold water, here is a tip for how to get in more easily and safely.

First it will feel less cold if you wear a two piece costume for a tee shirt on top. Get in slowly just to the top of your legs and let your legs get used to the temperature so that they no longer feel cold before you take the plunge. When after a minute or two you are ready to get in; take the plunge backwards as that feels less cold. Then finally stay in with your shoulders under until you start to get used to the water temperature and can really start to enjoy it. It will feel cold at first but if that makes get out again or stop swimming as soon as you are cold you will no be giving yourself the chance to get used to the water temperature. Instead you will have gone through the pain without getting to the pleasure. It has just struck me that there is a parallel for some people with getting used to taking antidepressants. You have to stay with the hard part of getting used to them when you first start to take them before you gain from them in the long run.

Kim

[Hidden]

Looks absolutely lovely 😊

Thanks for the tip about cold water too!

Xxx

[Kkimm in reply to Hidden]

Hi Olivia

Thanks so much for your reply. I forgot to add in the tip that in the period you are standing in the water up to the top of your legs you should also put a little water onto your neck , head and face. This avoids any risk of a shock reaction if the water temperature really is too cold. It would not matter for the sea at this time of year. All the best

Kim

[Hidden in reply to Kkimm]

Thanks kkimm

🌹🌹 xx

[Laniben]

Amazing! Looks fabulous Kim. I love being near water, none round here except a bit of a dirty stream in the local park used as a dumping ground which makes me cross 😐

Plenty of water at the moment though as it’s still pouring down outside 😊 I’m not complaining we needed it.

[Kkimm in reply to Laniben]

Thanks for your lovely reply Sam.

Glad it is a bit cooler for you today. We have the rain now as well. We all really need it for the gardens.

I really feel for everyone having horrendous heat waves in France and other parts of Europe.They have temperatures in the early 40s apparently. We had late 30s.

Climate change is becoming very worrying.

Very best wishes.

Kim

[Stilltrying_]

Another inspiring post Kkimm. I greatly appreciate your posts, the wording and the photos.

I am not ready for wild swimming just now but I can see how it would work .

There have been times when I have definately needed to put myself into an oppositional frame of mind from my depression and I used to do a lot of swimming underwater in the local swimming pool.

I am genuinely too down to do that right now but I think that it is wonderful to post up these ideas and tips on how to manage it positively.

Sending hugs, Gemma x

[Kkimm in reply to Stilltrying_]

Hi Gemma

Thanks for your lovely reply. I am really sorry to hear you are down at the moment. I will message you soon.

Kim