Aaaaaargh! It’s Winter …

And to celebrate the first day of winter, a few sunny moments and a double rainbow over Newport Beach this morning.

Early morning ... a brief shower created this ...

And a timely article which I’ll quote from below, from  this website about the benefits of cold water. I’ve edited it down a little and added my own comments in brackets …

The ancient Greeks were aware of the healing properties of a cold water treatment. The Spartans, for whom health was very important, regularly dipped in icy water for vigour and improved health. Two millennia ago in Scandinavia, it became common for people to jump into cold water after sweating in saunas. Now it is becoming better known that cold water therapy can help for such things as rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. (That explains why my blogger’s shoulder is always much worse on days when I don’t swim)

When the body is given brief  exposures to cold water, the blood vessels near the skin contract to send blood towards the core of the body to conserve body heat as a survival mechanism. In many people, the capillaries deep inside the body are not functioning well because of poor circulation and an unhealthy lifestyle. This exposure to cold has the effect of causing regeneration of these capillaries. This greater capillary circulation increases health by improving blood supply to internal organs. Tempering the body with cold water therapy increases the rate of metabolism. It helps to purge free radicals, heavy metals and a variety of toxins. It also dramatically strengthens immunity. (That explains why I feel so healthy when I swim)

We tend to constantly protect ourselves from natural cold and heat by using air conditioners, heaters, and seasonal clothing. … While this makes us feel comfortable, we decrease our ability to regulate our internal temperature and, as a result, get sick from even minor changes in temperatures, exposure to wet weather and cold drafts. This reduces energy, vitality, and longevity. (A Chinese herbalist told me heaters give you colds years ago. I was sceptical at the time) (I still have a heater) Most of the cultures of the world that include large proportions of centenarians live in the mountains where there are wide temperature contrasts. The human body can develop considerable tolerance for cold. There are areas of the world where, when the ice breaks up on rivers, swimmers compete in lengthy swims in the ice-cold water – now that is cold water therapy! (Brrrrr!!!!)

This morning ...

A new study at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine found that cold showers can reduce and even prevent depression. (I’ve always noticed that an ocean swim cheers me up. I use it as therapy when I’m feeling flat.) It is believed that short, cold showers may stimulate the brain’s source of noradrenalin, a biochemical that could help mediate depression. (Good luck with that. I’d rather jump in the sea than reach for the cold tap in the middle of a hot shower)

Always start treatments slowly so that you can get used to the temperatures and learn what your body can handle. (Hear hear!)

Hope you enjoyed that. I did. It explains a lot.

Geoff and Jemima enjoy the sunshine. I'm still cutting people's feet off ...

This Morning’s Stats:

Temperature: 12ºC

Sand: Cold

Pool: 21.3º … I’ve reverted to the wetsuit top even though it annoys me

Me: Feeling great

Tide: Going down

Moon: Who cares when there’s such a beautiful rainbow to look at

Surf: Average

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