Wild swimming in Winter - why would you?*

Brrr it's been cold this week!  But if you cast your mind back to last Monday it was a gorgeous sunny blue skies day.  What good fortune for my wild swim date at Dragon's Gate lake with my swim sisters Julie and Ali.  Before you sigh ''madness, in this weather'' or send claps of encouragement for our bravery, what you can't see in these photos is the fab Black Box Sauna!  Yes, the water was very cold, but oh the bliss of getting warm in the sauna between dips which left us feeling like we'd had a mini holiday!  Being in the water was good prep for next month's Sue Ryder Big Dip at Cheltenham lido.  (You can read more about that here as someone interviewed me about it!).   I'm really hoping for last year's mild 12 degrees water and not the 4 degrees 2023 when there were icicles hanging off the slide! 

* 'wild swimming in winter? yes why would you' you're asking?  Before I started dipping I knew there were plenty of well documented physical health benefits - boosting immunity and brain power, reducing inflammation and pain, improving circulation, metabolism, muscle recovery (when practiced safely of course; the flip side is hyperthermia!). 

For me personally it's the mental health benefits I value the most.  I believe it eases anxiety and reduces stress by having an experience that seems beyond your capacity but is achievable.  I started dipping to improve circulation as I have Raynauds-like symptoms when my fingers suddenly get cold.  By forcing an experience that is both mentally and physically uncomfortable I've grown in confidence to deal with other things that feel hard. I feel my body temperature regulates better and I no longer describe myself as someone who ''feels the cold''.  On mornings that start with a queasy knot of mental worry there's nothing like a cold shower to make you gasp for breath and force a physiological reset as you breath through it.  Believe it or not when your body warms itself back up after a cold dip it releases endorphins, happy hormones, and increases alertness, clarity and energy. 

Mostly I love getting out into nature all year round and being sociable at a time of year when it would be easy to stay indoors.  Connecting with friends and doing something that's all about movement and giving my mind a rest, is my biggest win.  If you'd ever like to join me at Dragon's Gate and don't fancy the cold wet dip part there are many benefits of sitting in a sauna.  Just say the word ... 

Natural Cosmetics week - do you know what's in your skincare?

It was Natural Cosmetics week from 17-23 November and social media was lit up with awareness raising posts about the importance of reading the labels when it comes to buying health and beauty products. More and more people are realising that chemicals in skincare products can have detrimental effects on health.  For example formaldehyde has been used to preserve the shelf life of products and PFAS (know as forever chemicals) which are used to make cosmetics waterproof have been linked to numerous health issues. 

Do you know about the NATRUE certification?  It's an international benchmark for natural and organic standards and is only awarded across an entire brand.  It's one of the reasons I have always trusted Weleda above all else for producing hundreds of cosmetic, bodycare and natural medicine products to exacting standards of excellence for people and planet. It's so important to trust the source of what you put on your body.  What goes on you goes in and travels through your bloodstream.

Conscious gifting - my (current) 5 favourites from Weleda

I say current because it changes with the seasons!  What we need in winter is very different to what you might gift someone in Summer!  So as promised these are my favourite gift ideas for someone who needs support to relax and wants to go chemical free with their body care.

Very Cherry gift set £19.95 - gorgeous velvety bag containing cherry lip balm, hand cream and shower wash.  A beautiful all in present but could also be split into 4 secret santa/stocking filler gifts if working to a tight budget.

Natural Wellness every day book £20 - for the person who insists they don't want anything and even edible options are tricky!  This is a guide for all year round wellbeing support that can be dipped in and out of or browsed in lovely long sittings.  For the grower in your family you might prefer the Biodynamic Gardening book £17

Weleda bath milks £17.50 - you all know arnica soak is my favourite when it comes to easing out aches and pains.  A soak in an arnica bath will revive body, mind and soul.  Did you know we also have 4 other 'flavours'?  I get through lots of lavender in compresses for facials and in foot soaks at the hospice.  Citrus is my go to for a morning bath for a gentle sunshiny boost.  Rosemary is a must for reviving energy in the afternoon when you still have a lot to get through (not for the evening as it may keep you awake!).  Pine is your friend when you have respiratory issues or a cold to clear. 

Skin Food Glow Up gift set £24 - for Skin Food fans or the uninitiated alike to enjoy the glow of using this 99 year old deep moisturising formula.  This set includes a 30ml tube of Skin Food original, a nourishing lip balm and a bottle of Skin Food dry oil spray (suitable for face, body and hair!).  

Arnica perform and recover gift set £28 - if you've ever come for a massage you'll know exactly why I love arnica.  This gorgeous full size bottle and shower wash set is so perfect for the active person in your life.  It's great for preparing muscles before exercise to reduce injury and to use afterwards to aid recovery.  It comes in a handy wash bag made from recycled plastic and there's room to add a few other little bits and bobs inside too.

You can click on the links above to read more about each gift or ask me any questions.  I can also make suggestions for stocking filler/secret santa ideas between £5-£10 so just let me kow if you need some Elf-y help.  For one week Weleda are offering Green Friday deals to support conscious gifting.  Orders made through my webshop will receive 20% discount on gift sets (until Monday 1st December). Orders over £50 will receive a free Refresh shower wash.  Postage is free over £40 or £4.95 under and deliveries can be made to any UK address.  If you're local and in no rush I can add single item orders to mine for free collection from my house. 

Do you love Arnica? - tell Weleda why

Arnica fans are being asked to share their feedback in a 15 minute survey.  As a thank-you for their time, participants will have the chance to win one of five Marks & Spencer vouchers worth £250, £100, or £50.   https://survey.yonder-research.com/ASP/P027304/Start.asp?Sample=4

Note - the survey is only open for a couple more days so leap in now if you want to share your thoughts. 

My favourite listen this week - advice from older people

I love podcasts while washing up, driving or soaking in the bath.  I'm an audible learner and like people so it's the perfect combination for me to simply listen in on a conversation while doing something else!  One of my favourite podcasters is Mel Robbins and at the weekend I really enjoyed listening to the episode with Dr Karl Pillemer from Cornell University who has interviewed thousands of people in their 80s, 90s and 100s to learn the secrets of a happy life.  If you'd like to listen to the episode too the link is here and these were the key take aways that landed for me. 

• 5 lessons from the people interviewed for living a good life - always be honest, say yes to opportunities, travel more, choose a mate with extreme care and say it now
• make a daily decision to put mindless worry aside - care less about what other people think and the things that are out of your control
• Let go of the past and embrace the future - practice self compassion for the things you can't change 
• learn to be unhappy - so that you can then choose not to be!  ''Happiness is a choice not a condition'' - Dr Karl
• Gratitude for small things - when you bring positive emotions into very negative and stressful experiences, the negativity level drops.
• Live your life like it is short - you'll make different decisions about the job you don't like, the relationship that isn't right for you and time you make for the people/places/hobbies you love.  Live your life like it's short and you'll choose better.

Thanks for taking a moment of pause with me again.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. 

warm wishes, Nic 

* heart smile moment - beautiful Zebra's made by school children for Gloucester Lantern Parade