JustBreathe

a magazine by HEALING HOTELS OF THE WORLD

  • Body
    • Health
    • Ayurveda
    • Detox
    • Anti-Stress
    • Beauty
    • Healing Water
    • Graceful Aging
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Sleep
  • Mind
    • New Consciousness
    • Mindfulness
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
  • Soul
    • Spirituality
    • Food for Your Soul
    • Me-Time
  • Life
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Inspirational Podcasts
    • Inspiring People
    • Green Living
    • Charity
    • Design
  • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
  • Healing Hotels
Close
JustBreathe
Close
  • Body
    • Health
    • Ayurveda
    • Detox
    • Anti-Stress
    • Beauty
    • Healing Water
    • Graceful Aging
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Sleep
  • Mind
    • New Consciousness
    • Mindfulness
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
  • Soul
    • Spirituality
    • Food for Your Soul
    • Me-Time
  • Life
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Inspirational Podcasts
    • Inspiring People
    • Green Living
    • Charity
    • Design
  • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
  • Healing Hotels

Cold-Water Swimming: A Story on Breaking Habits

Food for Your Soul, Soul April 6, 2022 Claudia Roth
Cold-Water Swimming: A Story on Breaking Habits

© Fermin Rodriguez Penelas

I was invited to a podcast. Whilst off air preparing with my host Jonathan, an exchange of pleasantries quickly turned into a conversation about the power of the mind.

Jonathan shared with me a fascinating story how cold-water swimming (freezing cold water dare I add!) helps him to overcome limitations. Read what Jonathan has to say about the power of the mind and how cold-water swimming has transformed his relationship with his mind and body. The following are his words.

 

My fascination with the power of the mind

A close family member has suffered from severe anxiety for years, to the extent where she is unable to leave the house. This close example of how the mind can create a limited reality, encouraged me to explore my own limitations.

On the weekend of my 47th birthday under the self-impression that we tend to take less risks as we get older, I did an experiment to “reset” my personal interpretation of risk and did a bungee jump from the Verzasca dam in Ticino, Switzerland. It’s 220m high and considered one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. The actual experience was incredibly frightening, however the toughest was walking up the steps and stepping off the podium, which overhangs the dam. Diving off the podium into thin air required an inner belief that all would be fine and an inner mental fight against the logical part of me which was screaming out that I was going to die!

I started to prepare, the week before, every day. I dived-off a stone pier into Lago Maggiore, which was 15 degrees Celsius, using a visualisation technique, imagining I was stepping off the bungee jump podium. This unexpected preparation event subconsciously planted a seed for me to do cold water swimming.

 

The seedling

Life then took several personal twists and turns. I had forgotten about cold-water swimming. Unexpectedly the idea returned out of nowhere, when I was doing my regular podcast show with another guest. Mark Hardie and myself were exploring building habits and challenged each other to start new habits before Christmas, which is usually the toughest time to start a new habit. The nights are becoming darker, the days colder, and our instincts are to hibernate, sleep and rest. I promised I would do cold water swimming in the cold and dark Lake Zurich waters.

 

The sapling – the experience of a newbie!

In the spirit of habit-building which is what this is, I quickly realised the importance of preparation both practical, such as the kit readiness, and mentally, visualising driving to the lake and entering the water.

The day had arrived! I wake up early. I make my tea. I feel nervous while driving to the lake. It’s clear to me I need to relax. I breathe deeply and slowly into my lower abdomen. My heart rate lowers preventing hyperventilation upon entering the water.

I am hit with a pivotal moment as I stand at Lake Zurich shore. Should I stay or should I go? Once in my shorts, at below zero degrees, the air temperature starts to bite my skin. My body rapidly cools down.

I walk bare feet across the gravel which causes me pain. I enter the water very slowly, one step at a time. With a sharp intake of breath, I take the plunge but only up to my neck. By now my breathing is rapid but I know I must slow down my heart rate. I consciously swim and breathe slowly on my back. I take in the view and the sensation of the cold water on my body. It’s a profound moment. But within several seconds my skin burns and my toes and fingers are starting to get numb. My body feels sluggish. I feel the cold penetrating deeper into my body and yet, at the same time, all the tension in my body disappears. Finally, I am feeling relaxed and even calm and I can focus on the sensation of the water on my body. And suddenly there is another sensation. I notice the freshness of the cold air entering through my nostrils. The strangest experience takes place, a kind of apathy and almost numbness, which I now know is dangerous. I don’t want to get out of the water! I shock myself into action and deliberately immerse my head under the water.

Now it’s time to get out of the water, quickly. The biting cold air on my skin and the early morning sun warming my body give me a short but powerful 30 seconds of deep bliss. By now my skin is so red and sore that I must dry myself delicately yet speed is critical. I quickly dress. I prioritise head, feet, and hands. These are areas in our bodies which emit the most heat. Here, our bodies have many nerve endings and are very sensitive.

I am desperate to get into the car. The last few metres I run. My breathing is much more rapid and difficult to control yet, strangely it warms my body.

The heating is on full blast. I warm my hands on the cup of tea I prepared earlier, inhaling the steam, and drinking it quickly. Holding the tea, drinking the tea, feeling its warmth inside my body is a savouring moment.

My body is still shaking, and my muscles flexing. It’s a weird sensation; it’s like a spasm. This makes me conscious of every single muscle in my body from my toes, calves, back and neck. I tense and stretch to ensure the body is circulating well. After several minutes I feel focused and alert. I start my drive home.

 

Community

Even though this may seem like a lonely expedition, it is the contrary. There is a community of people who have discovered the joy and benefits of cold-water swimming. We have quick chats passing each other getting in and out of the lake. No long conversations! My friend Mark Hardie from the podcast and I hold each other accountable for our new mutual habits by checking in and supporting each other. This really helps when the going gets tough.

 

The fruit

I’m immersing myself in nature, obtaining early morning sunlight which is great for the circadian rhythm. With the cold-water swimming, I’m burning a significant number of calories every day. I’m enjoying the mental and physical challenge of creating a new habit. As a result, other new, positive habits are making inroads into my daily life. My energy levels are now more consistent. I notice I’m much more resilient to the cold during the rest of the day and can spend longer time outside without being affected. Plus, I enjoy the shock to the body and mind in the morning – it does give a dopamine boost – what a way to wake up!

cold-water swimming

Importantly the experience gives me a greater appreciation of what the body and mind are capable of doing. I’ve noticed I’m more likely to say yes to taking on new experiences and risks.

 

The seed

Whether we believe it or not, we are constrained by the stories we tell ourselves. What we believe is right or wrong in essence defines our value system. What we tell ourselves we can or can’t do, becomes the life we live.

Why not go and give cold-water swimming a go, dipping your toe in the water and see where your mind takes you?!

 

Caution

Cold-water swimming has an intense impact on the body and must be approached slowly and carefully and ideally with a “buddy” who can be with you and look after you especially in the earlier days. Please check with a doctor or physician if you have underlying illnesses or ailments which would prevent you from doing such an activity.

 

Jonathan’s top 10 tips for cold-water swimming:

  1. Check out your physical condition first.
  2. Start slowly with your feet and legs, for a short time, no diving.
  3. Bring warm clothes for after immersion – you’ll need them.
  4. Use an old yoga mat to change on – we lose a significant amount of heat through our feet.
  5. Take a buddy, especially for the first few times, until you feel comfortable.
  6. Over a long time, you can work up to a maximum of one minute per one degree Celsius of water temperature.
  7. Take herbal tea / hot drinks, not caffeine to warm up.
  8. Ensure you have somewhere to warm up afterwards close by – a car, house.
  9. Do some exercise 10-15 minutes, to warm up the core – I do rowing and / or yoga – choose whatever suits you best.
  10. Eat and drink plenty after the circulation has recovered, after about 30 minutes.

P.s. And here are the 2 podcasts between Jonathan and myself. In part 1, we explore how we can create a sense of safety and security within ourselves in a world full of chaos and unpredictability. We also discuss the importance of awareness and how inner-balance makes room for new thought patterns and opportunities. In part 2, we explore feelings of connectedness and how letting go of the reliance and image of our construct (our identity) leads to more peace and harmony.

Stay warm and welcome new habits,

Claudia

Ps. Would you like to receive our monthly Soul Snippet straight to your inbox? Send me a message HERE

 

 

About Jonathan, my guest for this article:

When Jonathan is not underwater, professionally you will find him lecturing, podcasting, or consulting. He lives in Zurich, Switzerland.

www.hocoso.com

 

About Claudia:

I love writing about wellbeing, self love, consciousness, healing, and anything else on the journey to peace and inner harmony.

www.soul-luxury.com

 

Tags: changing habits mind swimming

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Food for Your Soul – A Column

Let’s Talk About Death: Being on a Journey of Love and Loss

Claudia shares her thoughts on the sacredness of death and the importance of discussing death to overcome the fear and taboo surrounding it. Read more →

Making Resistance Your Friend

Inner resistance can be a powerful tool for inner growth and self exploration. Because we can only learn from deep self reflection. Read more →

Don’t Play Small

To give oneself permission to be ones true self is harder than it sounds. But if you manage to do so, the award in simply beautiful. Read more →

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

justbreathemag

justbreathemag
Where do you find beauty? Ocean, mountains. forest Where do you find beauty? Ocean, mountains. forest, or something else? 🌊🌲⛰️Let us know in the comments below.#MindBodySoul #JustBreatheMag #HealingNature #Meditation #ConsciousLiving #BurnoutPrevention #MeditationDaily #Selfcare #SoulfulLiving #BePresent #SelfCareMatters #JustBreathe #PositiveVibes #QuoteOfTheDay #InspirationalQuotes #Mindfulness #BodyMind #YogaPractitioner #YogaPracticeDaily #MeditationTime #MeditationPractise #SpiritualHealing #AncientHealing
How to Disconnect From Work During Your Vacation⁠
⁠
Do you find it hard to switch off, even when you are on vacation?⁠
⁠
Many people are over achievers and find it very hard to relax and slow down, even though they understand theoretically that it would be good to do so.⁠
⁠
In today’s article, Erica Saltarelli shares why this is and how to overcome it. (Hint: It’s about embracing the beauty of being rather than doing.)⁠
⁠
Click the link in our bio to read the article.⁠
⁠
⁠
#OverAchievers #BurnoutPrevention #JustBreatheMagazine  #BurnoutRecovery #ConsciousLiving #Meditation #MeditationDaily #JustBreatheMag #Selfcare #Gratitude #SoulfulLiving #JustBreatheMagazine #BePresent #SelfCareMatters #SelfDevelopment #BodyMindSoul #HolisticHealth #JustBreathe #PositiveVibes #GratitudeAttitude
Sleeping With Gratitude 🙏Do you find it hard Sleeping With Gratitude 🙏Do you find it hard to go to sleep sometimes because you’re over thinking and find it hard to let go of thoughts? 🤯What if you could go to sleep with a sense of gratitude and positivity instead?In today’s article, (link in bio), Vicki Morrison is sharing what she does to unwind before going to sleep, including what what she writes in her gratitude journal to end the day on a good note.What is something you are grateful for today? Share in the comments below (and remember to give it a thought before going to sleep tonight)!#JustBreatheMagazine #ConsciousLiving #JustBreathe #BodyMindSoul #Lifestyle #SelfCareMatters #Selfcare #MeditationDaily #Meditation #SelfDevelopment #JustBreatheMag #HealthyLiving #BePresent #SoulfulLiving #HolisticHealth #Gratitude #Grateful #Gratefulness #GratitudeAttitude #PositiveVibes #PositiveEnergy
Sesame Kale CrispsLooking for a yummy yet nutrit Sesame Kale CrispsLooking for a yummy yet nutrition rich snack? Then you should try these Sesame Kale Crisps!We all know kale is one of the most loved superfoods - It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and gives plenty of health benefits. (You can read more about it in today’s article - link in bio.)To make these kale crisps you will need:
🌱 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
🌱 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
🌱 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
🌱 1/4 cup sesame seeds
🌱 Sea salt / Himalaya salt
Directions:
🌱 Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
🌱 In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients until the kale is evenly coated.
🌱 Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
🌱 Remove from oven and, using a spatula, flip leaves over.
🌱 Return to oven and continue cooking until it is dry and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes more.
🌱 Let cool completely.
🌱 Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Have you ever made your own kale crisps?#KaleCrisps #KaleChips #HealthySnack #HealthyLiving #HealthyEating #RawFood #CleanEating #JustBreatheMagazine #JustBreathe #JustBreatheMag #Health #HolisticHealth #Recipes #RecipeTips #ConsciousLiving #BePresent #SoulfulLiving #BodyMindSoul #SelfCareMatters #Lifestyle #Wellbeing #HealingFood #TreatYourself
Learn How to Meditate - 7 Simple Tips for Everyone Learn How to Meditate - 7 Simple Tips for EveryoneLearning how to meditate can be intimidating. But as with everything: practice makes perfect. In today’s article (link in bio), Lahra Tatriele shares 7 tips that will ease your journey:1. Before you start, put in your mind, “Meditation is attainable for me.” It is not difficult.2. Sit in a relaxed position for your body – on the floor or on a chair.3. Choose an object of focus that makes you feel good, e.g.: breathing, a mandala painting or a photo/image, etc.
Use this as a tool to bring harmony and love to your mind.
Use it as a way to bring about concentration and mindfulness4. Turn your vision inward and observe your breathing.
By observing your breathing, you will calm your mind naturally.
Observe the fickle-mindedness of your mind coming in and fading away, bringing about a steady concentration. Allow your concentration to turn into contemplation and slowly, you will forget about both yourself and any form, effortlessly blossoming into meditation.5. Become a source of love and light.
Once your calm mind is steady, let love permeate within you and around you like a radiant light.6. For healing, gently direct your thoughts to make your body healthy, alleviate your mind of stress, send your love to someone in suffering, etc.
Bring inner wisdom to your mind so that it becomes increasingly harmonious, and use this for healing the body, trauma or others in your life.7. Let go and let spirit in.
If you know how to meditate it will train your mind to become good, full of love – enough to heal yourself and others. Ultimately, there will be no Form, only Atma or soul in union with the Divine.Do you meditate regularly? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below!#JustBreatheMagazine #HolisticHealth #JustBreathe #SoulfulLiving #BodyMind #ConsciousLiving #YogaPracticeDaily #YogaPractitioner #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #Meditate #Meditation #MeditationPractise #MeditationTime #MeditationDaily #SpiritualHealing
Load More... Follow on Instagram

About JustBreatheMag

Just Breathe is an online magazine that was created to change minds, habits and hearts on the most important and current topics: health and wellbeing.

Powered by

Healing Hotels of the World Logo

Popular Tags

ageing anxiety Ayurveda balance beauty breath charity consciousness coronavirus detox diet DIY fear Fitness gratitude happiness healing Healing Hotels HEALING SUMMIT health healthy nutrition inspiration intention Life lifestyle love me-time Meditation mental health mindfulness new year nutrition podcast recipe self-love self care sleep spirituality stress sustainability transformation Travel weight loss wellbeing yoga

Behind the Scenes

  • Article Submission
  • About Us
  • Contact

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required
Legal Info | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Settings