Awaken your Blue Mind - a winter wellbeing challenge for all of us

[@letsramblewithrebecca7071]

I'm going to take a look at this. It sounds like a fabulous way to enjoy the dreaded winter months!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Please do! I hope you join us, there's so many interesting activities to do. Let me know what you think of it.

[@swiminthesea6391]

This is great idea for a challenge. I'll try to point people towards it. Many of the suggested challenges, I've done before, enjoyed them and continue to enjoy them. Although I know nothing of the science behind it all, I've observed that I am drawn to blue spaces in times of grief, anger, sorrow or stress. The calming effect always sets in a little while into the activity. I hope many people join in, and discover their blue minds.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

I hope so too. The beauty of it is we can all benefit from the restorative properties of water even without getting wet. Grab a copy of Blue Mind and a find out about the research in this area. It’s fascinating!

[@swiminthesea6391]

I've ordered a copy. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the tip.

[@rachpwanders6095]

This sounds like an amazing way to add some fun to Winter! I shall definitely be taking a look 😃.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Great! I think you’ll like the ideas! 🏊‍♀️😀

[@Matt-em9bd]

Amazing as always I love your content and wait every week for you to upload your next vid

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Aw thanks! I hope you fancy giving the challenge a go. It should be really good!

[@katysmith3571]

Yes me too! I look forward to Tuesdays!!

[@germainekent2593]

Love this Rachel, lovely idea to keep well

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks, I hope people join in. I’m really up for it and trying some new activities!

[@jennydawson1281]

Sounds fab and I knew where you were straightaway we visited a few years ago what a fab place , going to sign up , I’ve a few people I can rope in !

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Brilliant! The more the merrier. We’re hoping to organise a few challenge meet ups around the country. Hope you and friends can make it to one!

[@hayleyharvey1544]

thanks Rachel. This looks great and my first challenge is to get my friend Jen involved as I think she will really enjoy and benefit from some of these challenges.

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Super! Hopefully Jen won’t take much convincing 😀

[@Franscampi]

Sounds great! I shall take a look and also order the book. Definitely need something to get me through the dreaded winter!!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Have you had a looksee? If so, what did you think? Are you going to give it a go?

[@marycharlebois6627]

I think it’s cool that a charity such as “Blue Tonic” exists. What a great idea and kudos to you Rachel for being involved in contributing your ideas for the Challenges. My local blue tonic will become a solid white tonic in another month or so. However… there is some really cool news… a much younger friend of mine from work joined me for her very first Autumn wild swim just last weekend. She experienced a spectacular bluebird day while floating about in my local lake surrounded by golden Autumn foliage, and for the first time ever I experienced a swim buddy. Her birthday is Oct 29 and she now has a goal to do a little wild swim on her birthday. I have some gear to lend her (spare gloves, swim shoes, and swim cap) which will make our October swims more comfortable for her. In helping her to reach her goal I think I will feel just as elated as she might feel. The best thing about our swim last weekend is that she anticipated that she might feel extreme discomfort, when in reality her first wild swim was just the opposite… it was relaxing and and a total stress-buster for her. This made me very happy for both of us. Thanks for this one today Rachel. 💦🌎Ⓜary🏊‍♀

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hey Mary, I'm so chuffed you have a new swim buddy. Great goal to keep swimming until the end of Oct - you'll be racing the ice, I should think? I love the fact she got a bluebird day - what an experience! How about the shoreside wildlife? Any bears this time? So pleasing when it's not as cold as you anticipated. Maybe the two of you could take part in the challenge, you can do the whole thing without getting wet - which is lucky as your spot will freeze over soon...

[@Roo-s_Life]

THANK YOU!! This is just fabulous and I will definitely be taking part and sharing with my swim buddy who is also a keen SUP boarder. I enjoy kayaking so between us I think we can engage in a good few of the challenges over the winter months. We have been swimming in our local mere and also a lake just a few miles away, but I think this will inspire us to try other water bodies such as sea and river 😊

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Brilliant! There are so many options for getting in and around blue spaces, it's fun to find some new ones too. Enjoy the challenge - let me know how you get on!

[@said0725]

🤩🤩🤩 Always brilliant

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you!

[@helenmcrae5845]

I love this what a great idea. Water has been such a help to my mental wellbeing and I love to take the plunge especially at this time of the year 🙂 Not everyone is as bonkers as us but this encourages people to spend more time outside, which is great during the darker months. I have shared this on my Facebook I hope thats ok 🙂

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Absolutley brilliant Helen, have you joined the challenge? The variety is what makes it, I think x

[@rachaelyoung172]

Wow this is fantastic

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you. I hope you get involved!

[@abiwhite9678]

Hi Rachel, thanks for all your useful videos! Can i suggest a couple of topics: Hats - obvs v important as it gets colder - im confused about silicon/neoprene/bobble options whilst in the water, and double hatting! Also, Useful apps or websites for researching weather conditions and tides. I've seen you showing wind direction info in some of your vids - what sites or apps do you use for reliable local info? Thanks :)

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Abi I think you might like this video: hats for before, during and after swimming Hats for before, during and after swimming kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGpZptujM93atk I’ll have a think about a video on apps too 🏊‍♀️😀

[@abiwhite9678]

@@EverydayAthleteRach thanks - that was great :)

[@gretelstonebridge2323]

A wide range of challenges accessible for all. I'll check it out

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks Gretel, let me know what you think of the challeneg ideas :)

[@gretelstonebridge2323]

@@EverydayAthleteRach I have had a look at them and there is lots for everyone. I am going to sign up. I have an inkling you've contributed...

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

@@gretelstonebridge2323 brilliant! Yes, I was involved in coming up with the challenges 😀

[@brerhare9118]

great vid, thanks once again. What camera do you use? - its incredibly stable and sharp

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thank you. I used a GoPro Hero 10 and a tripod for this one and I’m mindful of the position of the sun and shadows which helps improve the video quality. Will you be joining the challenge? 😀

[@brerhare9118]

@@EverydayAthleteRach absolutely! And there are so many actitivity ideas on there. Ta v much for this

[@katysmith3571]

Fabulous Rachel! I’m heading on now to check out the website and find myself a challenge or 2!! I like you love photography (as well as outdoor swimming of course!) so hoping there’s something to inspire me!!

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Hi Katy, I think you’ll find a challenge or two to tickle your fancy! Let me know what you think.

[@katysmith3571]

@@EverydayAthleteRach Absolutely… will do!

[@Daveonarave]

Great stuff Rachel. I came to that zoom session during Lockdown and I was the one who asked if getting involved in open wild swimming could be something for the cv for inexperienced young people as maybe it shows certain skills and personal qualities - I doubt you'll remember but you gave a great answer 👍

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

Thanks Dave. It’s a much more interesting thing to note on a CV and would make the young person memorable to the interviewers! I hope you’re going to check out the challenge!

[@Daveonarave]

@@EverydayAthleteRach absolutely and you said something about being aware of health and safety, using initiative, a successful/proper swim requires strong organisational skills and being proactive. You were asked by a lovely guy whose name i forget to answer the question as an employer yourself. I agree with you - would be a great ice breaker in an interview but hopefully no need to break ice in any other ways when talking about swimming!! I will check it out.

[@Daveonarave]

@@EverydayAthleteRach can I also add its so wonderful that you are an ambassador and true model for your passion. You fly the flag wonderfully and seem so level headed both in videos and comments. Although there will be many reasons for this including your nature, I think you are a great advert for outdoor swimming as it clearly does you no harm. Terrific stuff. So much continued doom and gloom in news and causes for anxiety but sometimes we have to dive or wriggle away from that

[@EverydayAthleteRach]

@@Daveonarave absolutely, let the water soothe your souls and dissolve your worries 🏊😀