I’m the world’s worst ‘get on with it” “let’s go for a nice cold swim” sort of person
But I did have a family member who suffered severe depression and eventually understood that the best way to help is to let them know you are there for them and listen but not try to offer solutions or be judgemental, you need to try and accept them as they are
But keep in touch with phone calls, little chats, popping round with small gifts or food you’ve baked. But not so much they feel under siege or pressure
And even if they refuse all you invitations, keep asking. They may not be ready to accept or do that, but knowing they’re wanted and thought of can be a gentle comfort
I love the cold swim idea Maree, and if I wasn’t such a baby I might even try it…
However, do we all realise that depression is contagious, and if you hang around a depressed person too long you will come away feeling depressed yourself…So I avoid them.
Could have been, Muddy. I have heard of people dying from using Turkish Baths - which are very hot - then jumping into the Plunge Pool - which is very cold.
Don’t do it, Foxy, not with your heart. The cold water shock is not a good idea for you - if you don’t mind me saying.
I’ll send you a paddling pool to sit in instead.
Serioiusly though, we had a warning email tonight from the local Cops about the trouble people are getting into with this ‘Wild Swimming’ idea. Even young healthy people can easily come unstuck, like the lad not far from me who died a week or so ago. So do be careful.
Yes, that’s true, you shouldn’t just jump into icy water, especially if the surroundig air is hot.
You don’t need to do extreme to get the benefits, what you need is just that slight shock of getting into cold water that makes you make monkey noises. And getting in slowly and gradually cooler is what relieves arthritis and inflammation
The trouble is, the heat wave is encouraging people to wild swim for the first time and some are doing it in inappropriate places and without any safety precautions
It’s best to start out by joining a group and reading the wild swimming site advice, swim with a buddy, start slowly and acclimstise
But if it’s safe for you to do it, it’s incredibly addictive.
During lockdown when we couldn’t use the beach and marine lake, my husband really did buy me a paddling pool because I missed the benefits so much. A lot of us had one, others literally had barrels and got in!
