Morning Routine
- Su
- Apr 19, 2022
- 2 min read
I begin each morning with a run along the beach followed by a brisk swim in the sea. I do this all year round and only back out if the sea conditions are just too rough.
Swimming in the sea is not only good for my physical fitness and development of stamina, it also helps with well-being too. In 2019, Clare Bostock, a consultant geriatrician in Aberdeen talked about her wild swims in the British Medical journal. Her experiences are very similar to my own views of being in the wild water:
“When you go wild swimming it feels like all your worries are washed away,” says Bostock, who regularly swims in the North Sea where the temperature rarely gets above 13°C. “The cold means you have to concentrate on controlling your breathing and settling into a swimming rhythm. It is a good way to completely empty your mind as you can’t think about anything else.” When you get out of the water your skin is tingling and you get a mental buzz, enthuses Bostock, who admits she was initially nervous. “Regularly challenging myself in the sea means that I feel less fearful of other everyday challenges,” she says. Part of the joy comes from the beauty of swimming in the wild—whether it’s in the sea, loch, or river. “In contrast to running or swimming in a pool, wild swimming is more about the experience than speed or distance. Every time is different so you don’t get bored.” Recently Bostock swam alongside seals. “I thought I’d be scared but I didn’t feel threatened at all. It was an incredible experience.
There were no seals in the water today, just our dog looking on from the shore whilst guarding my towel. Due to my busy schedule I am a swift and solitary swimmer. However, Swanage boasts a thriving group of mixed age lady sea swimmers who meet every morning in every weather to brave the cold and the waves. They really are an inspiration to us all.
I highly recommend a dip in the cold ocean rather than a hot coffee to start your day.
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