Getting myself to the beach and going in the sea has been a tonic to my turmoil and I feel like it has the power to have this effect on others as well. When I enter the water the cold heightens my senses and brings my mind forward into this present reality surrounded by nature, the weight of land is eradicated and as I float through the blues and greens I know that as long as I have this I will be okay. 

It’s the act of stepping into an uncomfortable situation that I find beneficial. I’ve used cold water to train my willpower, which has allowed me to also step into uncomfortable social and personal situations too. There’s no doubt that sea swimming has played a vital part in my recovery, cold water has the magical power to cure. It’s a powerful tool, one that’s helped me rebuild the foundations of my confidence. 

After struggling with my mental health from the age of nine and spending years trying various talking therapies, prescription medication and substance abuse, wild swimming has been an instrumental part of my journey to becoming a healthy and functioning adult.