I am told cold water swimming increases Dopamine but salty water increases Oxytocin and Serotonin.
Oxytocin is the feminine hormone that aides connection and closeness. Also known as the love and cuddle hormone. It increases trust, warmth, intuition, and emotional clarity and helps one feel more connected to others and self.
Connected, grounded and softened…. To me this is alignment… heart and soul alignment, hormone alignment and alignment to the self. Pure alchemy and absolutely… YES to all of this!
The more I am experiencing my life and body changing after an incredible swimming season, I think it has everything to do with the water, but honestly I think more the salty water over the cold water. Both have their benefits, of course, but for me the profound changes I’ve seen has to do with the releasing of these powerful hormones to lift sadness, depression and give oneself inner love.
Something has changed with me swimming more regularly and before I left for SA I was going down daily and I was also swimming almost daily in Cape Town. Something in my eyes have changed, the comments have been overwhelming. Also for the first time I don’t have pain in my body, especially my left hip!
This is powerful to me!
I am doing my best to continue swimming through winter but it has been a little impossible, the storms at sea have been massive. Let us not forget these sea storms aid in the 100 foot waves in Nazare… it’s been a little crazy this side and my tidal pools have been taking a beating. Also it’s been bitterly cold, definitely colder than last year this time and with me not being well, I haven’t wanted to risk it.
However, on the 1st January, all the local folks start the year off going for a swim in the sea. So come rain or shine a whole group of us will be going in. Praying for shine!
No better way to start the year…
I am surrounded by the most beautiful coastline and ocean and I am obsessed.
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea”.
