Whatshot
You're never too old (and it's never too cold) for an Ocean dip
You're never too old (and it's never too cold) for an Ocean dip
Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2024-03-30
Date: 2024-03-30
Themost beautiful time of the year is upon us. It's a glorious time to ventureoutdoors and see the last of the summer season. Our e coli levels havestabilised and a dip in the sea is the best happiness producing elixir.
Those who enjoy a regular Ocean dip, likemyself, know all about the benefits of this practice. Often compared to aspiritual experience. For me that morning ocean dip is like being in thepresence of God. For this is the time of reckoning, when my troubles andanxieties wash away with every crashing wave. Like a daily cleansing, we emergefrom our swim feeling energised, calm and ready to face the day.
That simple action, a morning Ocean dip,helps me navigate all challenges in life. Our Ocean conditions change day today. Some days are calm and clear; others are wild with waves and winds. If wewant to swim, we have to learn to navigate the conditions we are dealt - justlike in our daily, day-to-day life.
How marvellous! A simple morning Ocean dipcan bring about so much happiness... and as you probably all know, there is aserious connection between happiness and health.
In a 2008 review of studies on happinessand longevity, Dutch sociologist Ruut Veenhoven found that happiness appears toprotect against illness. In 19 research projects involving populations chosenindependently of their health status, ratings of mood, happiness, and lifesatisfaction at the beginning of a study had a large and positive impact on thechance a person was alive at the end of the follow-up period. The mostsatisfied people gained an extra 7.5 to 10 years of life. That life extensionis equivalent to giving up cigarettes by age 35.
The report describes many paths tohappiness (curiously, swimming in a cold ocean isn't among them), including:Expressing gratitude, Living life with meaning, Finding and using your innercharacter strengths, Putting mindfulness to use toward well being, Savouringpleasure and Developing self compassion.
It is important to remember that oceanswim/dip releases endorphins, regulates breathing, boosts blood flow, whichhelps mental capacity, reduces stress and induces relaxation state and creates'Blue Mind'.
'Blue Mind' is a research subject thatsuggests being in or around the water will set your body and mind free,creating calm and peace within. Water makes up seventy per cent of our bodiesand studies suggest our brains immediately have a positive response when we arenear water.
Dr Wallace J. Nicols, author of 'Blue Mind'says, "being in the water provides a long list of benefits for our minds andbody, including lowering stress and anxiety, increasing an overall sense ofwell being and happiness, lower heart rate and breathing rate and reducing PTSDand anxiety disorders."
This means ocean swimming regularly canincrease the neurochemical in your brain making you happy, healthier and lessstressed.
Swimmingin the sea can be as simple as taking that first plunge in knee-deep water, oras challenging as an hours-long marathon along the coast. Whatever you prefer,take the time to enjoy being immersed in a watery world, we have so much of iton our doorstep.
