Daisy Wood: Open-water swimming is great for farmers
© Adobe Stock I went to university by the sea and, ever since, a dip in the ocean has become an important part of my routine and wellbeing.
Most people think I am slightly mad. Admittedly, this summer it has often felt more like warm-water swimming, but the benefits remain. The initial shock of entering the water can trigger a surge of mood-boosting chemicals, leaving you feeling energised and refreshed.
Cold water exposure briefly activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, helping it adapt to physical stress. There is also growing interest in its potential role in reducing inflammation and speeding up your metabolism.
See also: Daisy Wood – farmers are key to better research outcomesÂ
About the author
Daisy Wood
Daisy Wood grew up in a farming family in Gloucestershire and studied an Environmental Science degree at the University of Exeter. After a spell with Leaf (Linking Environment and Farming), she now works as a knowledge transfer manager for Waitrose and the University of Reading. Her work focuses on applying scientific knowledge in regenerative agriculture.
Read more articles by Daisy Wood
Farming is mentally and physically demanding. There is always another job to do, another problem to solve, another weather forecast to worry about.
Finding time for yourself can quickly fall to the bottom of the priority list. Yet this is exactly why activities like open-water swimming are valuable.
Whether it’s an early morning dip before the day begins or a quick swim at the end of a long shift, it provides a rare opportunity to switch off, clear your head and reset.
The real reason I keep returning is the way it makes me feel. There is something wonderfully simple about stepping away from emails, deadlines and everyday worries and immersing yourself in nature.
The sea demands your full attention. For those few minutes, there is no room to think about anything else. And then there is the feeling afterwards.
A sense of calm, achievement and, perhaps most importantly, the urge to do it all again tomorrow.
I think all farmers should be sea swimming. Or, for those of us who live a little further from the coast, lake swimming, river swimming, or whatever safe open-water option is available.
Whether you are seeking better wellbeing, a new challenge, an opportunity to meet like-minded people or simply an excuse to carve out a little time for yourself, I would encourage you to give it a try.
Just do so safely. Follow RNLI guidance, understand local conditions and never underestimate the water. Then decide for yourself whether I am mad. I suspect you might find yourself planning your next swim before you’ve even dried off.
