How I found peace in cold-water swimming

Peaceful stillness on Jericho Beach, Vancouver. Image by Ellie James.

It began with screams and wails. On Jericho Beach, Vancouver, on a frosty winters morning.

Together with my best friend, nursing a hangover, we took our first plunge. The waves called us in with a gentle roar.

As we waded into the water, shooting looks of pain, joy and elation to each other in quick succession, the tips of our toes started to numb.

Breathless, I questioned our decision.

But as the screaming subsided and my breath stabilised, my body relaxed. I submerged myself into the water and became one with it. I felt totally and utterly in the moment.

The cold water returned me to my body. Feeling each tingle of the toe, each sharp intake of breath, the endorphins rushing through my veins.

I looked out onto the horizon but a drop in the ocean. Within the wild and open waters, I connected to my mind, my body and nature.

I felt at peace.

The post-swim glow on Wreck Beach, Vancouver. Image by Ellie James.

But how?

Connect to your body

Plunging yourself into cold water triggers your fight or flight response, quickening your heart rate and your breathing. However, as your stress response calms, you adjust to the temperature. The water is suddenly not so shocking.

Monitoring and experiencing the ways that our bodies work for us is magical. Tapping into your physiology, you connect to your body and the miraculous ways it serves us.

Connect to your mind

Activating your stress response forces your mind into deep concentration. You connect entirely to the present moment because the sensation of the water leaves no room for anything else.

The monkey mind simmers and you can focus on yourself in the present moment. It’s mindfulness in its highest form.

Connect to nature

Swimming in open water connects you deeply to nature. It takes you out of the suburban slog of screens and offices and immerses you into the rivers, lakes and oceans we depend on.

Feeling the waves rise and fall and hearing the birds sing above you, there is nothing else like it. Connecting to nature in this way, you’re invited to develop a deep and loving respect for it.

Testing the waters in the Elk River, British Columbia. Image by Ellie James.

Tips for a successful swim

• Focus on your breath from the moment you strip to your swimsuit. Your body will start to tense just thinking about the water. By counting your breath, you’ll manage the shock of the initial exposure.
• Keep your hands by your side and let them enter the water with you. No flailing arms or hesitation. It’ll help to fully submerge yourself in a slow and controlled manner. I promise.
• Have a fluffy towel and a hot drink awaiting you on your return. Dry yourself off, get into warm clothes and take a well-deserved sip of your favourite hot drink. Remember to warm up slowly so as not to shock the body further.

So, consider this a personal invitation to take your first plunge. It’s as good as they say it is.

All you need is yourself, a swimsuit, a towel and a little bit of bravery. Find a nearby river, lake or ocean and dive in.

Go with a friend.

Take your dog.

Call someone you know who might need this.

Or go alone and carve out a mindful moment for yourself today.

Let the cold, wide, open waters plunge you to your peace.