Self-Care and Open Water Swimming #whyiswim

1. The Joy of Unrestricted Movement: I recognise the privilege of being able to swim with relative ease. Unlike running, which I find challenging, swimming feels natural and liberating. My ‘happy place,’ a sensory experience I once described in a flowing piece about swimming in the sea (see below), highlights this deep connection to the water.

2. Unparalleled Stability and Safety: Years of swimming have cultivated exceptional proprioceptive awareness. Even after vestibular damage threatened my ability to swim, I found a way to adapt. The water offers a unique sanctuary where, aside from sitting or lying down, I am completely free from the risk of falling. While I manage other challenges like the fact that I will not hear others (by making myself as visible as possible, considering where I swim, swimming with those who can hear etc), this inherent safety is a significant advantage.

3. Enhanced Breathing and Pain Relief: The discipline of exhaling with each stroke has a remarkable calming effect, preventing a ‘threat response’ in my body. This, combined with the cold water, provides significant relief from pain and inflammation. Open water swimming often offers a rare respite from chronic pain.

4. Deepening Mindfulness and Presence: The combined benefits above create an environment conducive to profound mindfulness. In the water, my focus naturally shifts to my surroundings, my breath, and my movement. Lingering worries or frustrations tend to fade quickly, replaced by a strong sense of being present in the moment. It's a powerful antidote to persistent negative thoughts.

I was asked one day to write the sensory details of a place I felt safe; I write about this in another post. But for now: what do you do that helps you? Why do you find it helpful?