A 2025 Northumbria University study found lower anxiety and higher self confidence on swimming days, alongside better reported sleep and less anxiety the next morning - here
Swim or dip anytime between 9am and 11am this Sunday 15th of November at Jesus Green Lido.
Forecast is mix of ☁️ and ☀️ and 🌧️ - more chance of sun before 11am.
Water temperature currently 9.9 degrees ❤️
You will receive recognition and an edible treat for swimming 1 length to the first steps (new minimum as water getting cooler) or more.
Just pop over to the Serotonin Swim table poolside to collect your recognition.
Remember, Serotonin Swim is community funded — so you only pay to enter the pool!
Thank you Kate for the lovely photo below!
How does outdoor swimming build self confidence?
It’s a strange paradox. I look forward to swimming in the autumn, yet just before getting into the water, I often think, ‘I don’t want to do this.’
Then come the justifications: ‘It’s too cold, too windy, too much effort.’
Followed by the negotiations: ‘I could go tomorrow, later in the week, or perhaps just go for a walk instead.’
This is one reason outdoor swimming can be so powerful. It helps us build self confidence by providing evidence that we can do uncomfortable things, even when our thoughts tell us otherwise.
We all have things we put off or avoid. Work tasks, household chores, difficult conversations or family relationships. It’s normal. It’s human.
But procrastination often encourages more procrastination. Just as taking action makes it easier to take action again.
Is it a coincidence that after a weekday swim, I often have a particularly productive hour at my desk? I don’t think so.
Is it just chance that after a Sunday swim, I finally give myself permission to read in peace and properly recover, rather than mindlessly doing or scrolling? Definitely not.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of outdoor swimming isn’t what happens in the water, but what it helps us believe we can do once we’re out.
Whether you’d like a little support at the start of your outdoor swimming journey, or just a bit of motivation to get yourself to the pool on a beautiful autumn day, we’re here.
“Courage originally meant; To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.”
- Brené Brown
Invite one person to come to the lido with you this Sunday. It’s OK if they can’t come, it’s the invite that matters.
The aim is simple: reach out to one person with a small, genuine invite or message
No need to fix anything: just showing up and listening is enough
Connection matters: a small moment can help remind a person that someone cares and they’re not alone
Did you know?
Reaching out to someone else can boost your own mood as much as theirs ✅
Feeling supported by just one person can significantly improve resilience during stressful times ✅
Regular small interactions can improve focus and cognitive performance ✅
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!
This is what awaits you on Sunday……….. - thank you Kate!
First Serotonin Swim?
Please book your swim via the Better site here (they manage the pool). This makes it much quicker to get in on the day.
The below applies if water temperature is below 10 degrees. This Sunday the water temperature will be around 16 degrees.
Click here for Jesus Green Lido community survey data on how to adjust to cool water swimming
BBC Science here - Why an icy dip is good for your mental and physical health
Article here - Neoprene and afterdrop: how to keep swimming outside this winter
BBC Just one thing - benefits of swimming here
Why do people swim at Jesus Green?
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