authors own —Mermaids Emerging — Sylvia emerging from a Winter’s sea at Freshwater Bay
Last month, I wrote about dancing into old age,
about learning ballet for the last seven years. This is not my only
confession as a seventy-year-old who does not want decrepitude creeping
up on her any time soon.
Around
the time I started taking my first ballet classes, I realized I was
more unfit than I thought, and I began swimming more seriously. We live
near the ocean, so it has always been easy for me to drive down to the
best local beaches and take a dip. It used to be a regular summer
hangout time with friends or visitors.
But
now I go all year round, and more often, with friends, or a special
swim buddy, as often as we can both make it. I also go alone with my
lovely husband keeping eyes on me in case I get into trouble. He would
sound the alarm. He is not a swimmer himself except for the occasional
dip in high summer.
It
all started one Boxing-day (The day after Xmas in the UK) when I joined
a charity swim, challenging myself to do ten breast strokes before I
gave up and came out.
I
was in seventh heaven. I actually did more than ten, but more than
that, I had a huge high from the release of neurotransmitters that come
with cold water. Dopamine. It is shown that the increase is up to 250%.
That is some natural high.
Feeling good
This
increase in dopamine lasts, and the more often you swim, the longer it
lasts. It is a regular recommendation as a drug-free alternative for
people with long-lasting depression and other similar mental health
diagnoses. Combine it with a mindfulness practice, and you are not quite
cast iron, but it really is a strong bulwark against lows.
I
struggled with depression, suicide ideation, and PTSD from complex
trauma for most of my life, even though by nature I am an upbeat and
cheerful individual with a wicked sense of humour. I had a massive
breakdown in 2008, and I am still working towards shaking the last of my
PTSD trigger points off. That may never happen, but if I do get
triggered, I know what to do. Cold swimming is now recommended by
doctors for people with long-term mental health issues, with
considerable success.
author,
memoir, mindfulness essayist, poet, advocate for mental health and
compassionate living, author of ‘No Visible Injuries’, ‘Living Well and
Loving ADHD’
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