something I noticed here that you didn't point out (unless I missed that part)...one of the key ingredients to your morning swim happy-juice is the social connection. The day you went and your swimming-friends had already gone swimming, you didn't have the same rush. And then, when you got back with your friends you are frolicking like a school-boy again.
Studies have shown that one of the most important elements of health among seniors is social interaction and human connection.
in other words, everything is better with a friend.
you made me want to gather a bunch of girlfriends and go swimming on a beach in the cold. Except I live really far away from the ocean. and right now the temperature is way below freezing and all the rivers and lakes around me are frozen solid.
You are 10001% correct Teri. I has made that point in my head but clearly not written it duh! 🤤 Just go walk outside in shorts and tshirts for 5 minutes in the cold it's nearly as good [ tip wooly hat and gloves essentials to protect the extremities]
I just took the dogs out. -3F. It’s the kind of cold where my nose hairs freeze with one inhale. I thought of you and about doing a snow angel or two. And I went back inside and let myself imagine the snow angel instead of actually freezing my tushy.
Your experience with the cold swim and the contrast with the joy of swimming with friends the next day highlights the importance of connection. Sometimes, the 'happy place' can feel isolating without the shared experience. It's a reminder that even in activities we love doing solo, the company of others can amplify the joy and sense of belonging. It makes me think about how I can foster more connection in my own life, even in activities I typically do alone. Thanks for the reminder 🩵
You're very welcome Alex. For years I saw the BIG benefit of cold water swimming as the cold excercise. More recently I realised that community was #1 in all this for wellness not the cold.
The title of this post resonated with me because Getting ill forced me to change my habits too. However, I wasn’t expecting to smile and laugh as much as I did, your humour throughout is brilliant 🤩 I literally smiled and laughed to myself start to finish 🙃 can’t wait to read more 💖
You were good to rest until you felt ready to go back. The stories we tell ourselves are bullshit. If you love something, you will go back to it when you are ready. In high school I once went to swim practice with a sore throat and it got so much worse! I have learned to rest when I am sick, it can make the swim so much more enjoyable when you get back to it!
*I still don't know how you can swim in the cold like you do. Kudos to you!*
I came down with a nasty cold this week as well. Really impacted my schoolwork and music routine as well as my workouts.
But the recuperation was lovely, even with all the symptoms. And I look forward to resuming my normal activities now that I've recovered. Sometimes you just need a bit of a rest!
Rest and recuperation is so important, nothing wrong with giving your body a rest. But, I'm always in awe at how you have the discipline to keep up with your morning swims no matter the weather!
I’ve had to learn to listen to my body this week and indeed this winter. I’m normally always cold water swimming right the way through. But this time, I just don’t need to suffer. It’s ok not to suffer.
And I prefer going to gym every day. And even that I’ve had to skip for a few days as my body was ravaged by flu. It’s so important to listen to your body otherwise you’ll definitely pay for it via another lesson from the universe.
It seems like this is a theme in our community 🤣🤣 way to nail that on the head!!!
Also i LOVE how much of your personality has really started to come through in your writing. I definitely want more posts like this!!!! I had so much fucking fun reading it.
John, I think you’re right. It’s either you show up obbsessedly every single day, or you will end up sitting in front of that screen watching soap operas with your pet rock. So don’t mess this up!
Not really. Just one of those crazy things you think in the back of your head.
I enjoyed reading this. I was the same. Obsessively sticking to my routine until I got sick and had to let most of it go. Sometimes our bodies just need rest, a bit of a reset.
Thanks for sharing @Caitlin McColl
something I noticed here that you didn't point out (unless I missed that part)...one of the key ingredients to your morning swim happy-juice is the social connection. The day you went and your swimming-friends had already gone swimming, you didn't have the same rush. And then, when you got back with your friends you are frolicking like a school-boy again.
Studies have shown that one of the most important elements of health among seniors is social interaction and human connection.
in other words, everything is better with a friend.
you made me want to gather a bunch of girlfriends and go swimming on a beach in the cold. Except I live really far away from the ocean. and right now the temperature is way below freezing and all the rivers and lakes around me are frozen solid.
You are 10001% correct Teri. I has made that point in my head but clearly not written it duh! 🤤 Just go walk outside in shorts and tshirts for 5 minutes in the cold it's nearly as good [ tip wooly hat and gloves essentials to protect the extremities]
I just took the dogs out. -3F. It’s the kind of cold where my nose hairs freeze with one inhale. I thought of you and about doing a snow angel or two. And I went back inside and let myself imagine the snow angel instead of actually freezing my tushy.
You are a wise one Teri
I was thinking the same thing about the friends and comraderie. Although I not sure if it’s fair to rub in the part about being a senior!
Owning my oldie-baldie status
I deeply respect your oldie-baldie status. It means you are a wise elder!
Thank you!
@JFT Beach 🏊 🧘♂️ and I are good friends. He knows my loving jest.
Rest can be just as productive as the grind.
Plus, nothing beats the joy of a proper swim with friends :)
I hope you are feeling much better.
That cold is everywhere ugh.
I wish you a great week ahead :)
Absolutely Neela . Thanks for your comments, hope you're well and have a fab week too.
thank you so much :)
Your experience with the cold swim and the contrast with the joy of swimming with friends the next day highlights the importance of connection. Sometimes, the 'happy place' can feel isolating without the shared experience. It's a reminder that even in activities we love doing solo, the company of others can amplify the joy and sense of belonging. It makes me think about how I can foster more connection in my own life, even in activities I typically do alone. Thanks for the reminder 🩵
You're very welcome Alex. For years I saw the BIG benefit of cold water swimming as the cold excercise. More recently I realised that community was #1 in all this for wellness not the cold.
Thank you so much for the shout out JFT. You are brave to go into the cold water. I bet that coffee tastes amazing?
Curious, what was it about the article that caught your attention or resonated?
It hit at the perfect time as I've been doing lots of guided yoga nidra lately so was very relevant
I love how the universe brings you what you need JFT. Thank you for sharing
You're welcome
The title of this post resonated with me because Getting ill forced me to change my habits too. However, I wasn’t expecting to smile and laugh as much as I did, your humour throughout is brilliant 🤩 I literally smiled and laughed to myself start to finish 🙃 can’t wait to read more 💖
You were good to rest until you felt ready to go back. The stories we tell ourselves are bullshit. If you love something, you will go back to it when you are ready. In high school I once went to swim practice with a sore throat and it got so much worse! I have learned to rest when I am sick, it can make the swim so much more enjoyable when you get back to it!
*I still don't know how you can swim in the cold like you do. Kudos to you!*
I came down with a nasty cold this week as well. Really impacted my schoolwork and music routine as well as my workouts.
But the recuperation was lovely, even with all the symptoms. And I look forward to resuming my normal activities now that I've recovered. Sometimes you just need a bit of a rest!
Yep sometimes illness can actually be a good teacher! Thanks fir commenting Amy.
Rest and recuperation is so important, nothing wrong with giving your body a rest. But, I'm always in awe at how you have the discipline to keep up with your morning swims no matter the weather!
It's one of those things that always makes me feel better so there is little choice in it for me
I’ve had to learn to listen to my body this week and indeed this winter. I’m normally always cold water swimming right the way through. But this time, I just don’t need to suffer. It’s ok not to suffer.
And I prefer going to gym every day. And even that I’ve had to skip for a few days as my body was ravaged by flu. It’s so important to listen to your body otherwise you’ll definitely pay for it via another lesson from the universe.
Yay Colin glad it’s not just me - thanks for sharing. It is defo OK not to suffer… but hard to admit it sometimes.
It seems like this is a theme in our community 🤣🤣 way to nail that on the head!!!
Also i LOVE how much of your personality has really started to come through in your writing. I definitely want more posts like this!!!! I had so much fucking fun reading it.
That makes me very happy - the fun part not the problem with obsessive routines! Thanks so much for your comment Taylor.
John, I think you’re right. It’s either you show up obbsessedly every single day, or you will end up sitting in front of that screen watching soap operas with your pet rock. So don’t mess this up!
Not really. Just one of those crazy things you think in the back of your head.
Thank you for mentioning my meditation post 😊
I enjoyed reading this. I was the same. Obsessively sticking to my routine until I got sick and had to let most of it go. Sometimes our bodies just need rest, a bit of a reset.
Thanks for commenting Janine - I swim because all though in the moment it's really cold the pay back post swim high is very addictive
I'm sure she'll make space on the sofa for me to watch a hospital drama or 2! Thanks for commenting Tim
Thanks for reading and sharing Georgia have a great day