Great for our immune system! Short-term cold exposure increases white blood cell count and antioxidant levels - Data
Serotonin Swim this Sunday 11th MAY anytime 9am - 11am
I’ll be there this Sunday 9am - 11am. Come and chat to me. Tell me how your swim felt. I’ll have a sticker ready for you! One length is enough, more is great!
As many of you know one of the Jesus Green Lido lifeguards died last month. Ash was 19 years old. When people die words feel so incapable of describing the person they were. Ash was a great guy, who smiled a lot and wanted to help others. He will be greatly missed. I wasn't friends with Ash but I chatted to him each time I came for a swim. His warm and kind demeanour lifted my spirits. When I think back I realise how precious these small, incidental conversations are. A lido lifeguard might be the first person in our day who treats us with unconditional kindness. They don't want anything from us, demand anything of us or hold us to a deadline. They just want to keep us safe.
So this Sunday I'm inviting you to swim for Ash. One length or more to celebrate this precious life.
Swim to wash away a stressful week. Swim to take a moment to think about the people who matter most to us. Swim to recharge focus. Swim to feel good. Swim to feel closer to others. Swim to remember that you are a good person, doing your best.
This is the last Serotonin Swim of the season as the water is a heady 16 degrees! It’s the time of year I call the ‘great migration’. Swimmers of all pools find their way back to the lido for the summer. Welcome back, we’ve missed you!
Invite one person to come with you this Sunday, it’s ok if they can’t come. Your invitation says ‘I care about you, you are not alone’. I think this is possibly the most important message any of us can convey.
P.S - For the funeral Ash’s parents asked everyone to wear something purple as this was his favourite colour. Could you wear something purple for Serotonin Swim? Anything goes’ jumper, t-shirt, trousers, socks, shoes, earrings. A simple way to mark our respect for a lovely guy who will be dearly missed x - photo of Ash below
A cold water swim helps us;
regulate emotions
boost immune system
calm thoughts
get perspective
reduce inflammation
recharge cognitive energy
support sleep
You are a good person, doing your best. That’s enough.
P.S - if you can’t make it to the lido, swim where you can. And if you can’t swim, there is always an invigorating cold shower!
Ash, we miss you x
