“One study has shown that cold water sessions can improve our immune system—winter swims can help us become more resistant to certain types of illnesses”.
Swim anytime 9am - 11am this Sunday 12th November for the next Serotonin Swim of the season at the historic Jesus Green Lido.
Swim 1 length or more. Get your stamp, sticker and edible reward!
Water will be about 9 degrees. Cloudy with patches of sunshine forecast.
What are the benefits? - check out the graph at the bottom of this post!
Why is this Sunday so Important?
Each autumn there comes a swim that fills us with equal parts trepidation and excitement. The water is noticeably cooler and we wonder ‘can I do this?’
The answer is we can. And when we do it we feel a renewed sense of confidence in ourselves.
The more something challenges us the more potential benefits it offers. We find a deep sense of meaning, not in doing easy things, but in persevering through struggle.
Think of any achievement that made you feel good. Maybe a piece of work, a race you competed in or a relationship you committed to. Was it all easy going? No. Was it hard sometimes? Yes.
But you found something within you to do it. And when the dust settles you feel empowered. I did it. And because I did it, maybe there are other things I can do…..
I have 3 or 4 swims like this each season, spring, autumn and winter. One of the reasons I love cold water swimming is I know its just down to me and the water. The parameters are so clearly defined. The sense of achievement is so quick to experience.
The other beautiful thing about this Sunday is it's likely to be our ‘cross over swim’. It's the swim where you know that if you can do it today, you can swim all through the winter.
A Serotonin Swimmer told me a few weeks ago that they said to themselves “all I have to do is take my swim stuff, turn up to the pool, say hi to a few people, I don't have to swim” So if you’re not sure, start with this goal. Simply watching the water and being around a community of warm hearted people can really lift our spirits. (The swimmer in question did end up doing 2 lengths!)
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness.” - Brené Brown
Do what you can and know that it’s enough.
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.
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
A big thank you to Aleks! A mathematician Serotonin Swimmer who has done some brilliant work at answering this question ‘Can we find a sum to explain the benefits of cold water swimming?’
I’ll post the answer next week. Life and the benefits of swimming explained in sine and tan waves. For now this simple graph highlights all we need to know.