For many years now, I’ve been open water swimming, not only because it’s good for my physical health but also because it has a wonderful effect on my mental wellbeing. As a fifty-something woman, I started to suffer from severe anxiety several years ago, as well as other menopausal symptoms. It completely took the wind out of my sails and the feelings of exhaustion were like nothing I’d experienced before. So, when I was invited by Natasha from Wild Wellness to visit Coniston for an open water swim and sauna session, I jumped at the chance. Of course, this was right up my street!
I arrived at the eastern shore of Coniston Water, a breathtaking setting that immediately eases you into a calmer state. Nestled beneath an old ash tree, I met with Natasha, a qualified open water swim coach and wellbeing coach, and a lovely group of ladies who were enjoying a community wild swim and sauna. The sun was beaming down and there was a warm, welcoming atmosphere where like-minded people were reconnecting with nature.
Embracing Nature’s Elements
Combining cold water swimming with the wood-fired sauna is a wonderful experience and provided the perfect natural remedy for my stressed nervous system. The setup is stunning: a bespoke sauna nestled right by the water’s edge overlooking the Coniston fells, and a table laden with fresh fruit, shaded by a leafy canopy. While I was eager to get straight into the water, Nat recommended that I heat up first in the outdoor sauna. Inside, I lay down on a bench and let the woody-scented heat completely cocoon me. The real magic, however, lies in the contrast from the intense heat of the sauna to the refreshing chill of Coniston Water.
If you’ve never tried open water swimming in the Lake District, there’s something extremely sacred about it. It forces you to breathe and just be in the present moment. Don’t worry if you feel nervous initially, you can go at your own pace, and you’re not obliged to swim if you’d rather just immerse yourself and soak up the energy of the water. As soon as you return to the sauna, a wave of endorphins and deep peace washes over you.
Why Wild Swim with Wild Wellness?
Based in the heart of the Lake District, Wild Wellness provides restorative experiences that are centred around the natural elements. There are no expectations and you don’t need to have any open water swimming experience.
Natasha offers a range of sessions, from quick sauna-only sessions to clear your head or a guided two-hour contrast immersion. If you’ve been suffering from burnout or if you feel like you’ve lost your spark, I can’t recommend Wild Wellness enough. The Lake District has a way of putting things into perspective, but Natasha gives you the hands-on practice to actually live within that perspective.
Ready to find yourself again? Check out Wild Wellness to book your session or email info@wellness-wild.co.uk for more information.
You can also follow Wild Wellness on Instagram @wellness_wild and Facebook @WildWellnessUK
Watch the wild swimming video at Coniston.
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