Taking a dip to activate it.....

So I was pondering why I was so consumed with the need to go for a dip in the sea, we've had a couple of days of sunny weather (finally) lol and I just had to get in the sea. The last time I went for a swim was over 2 year ago prior to my dx. Afterwards I felt a lot better my lymph affected arm was not as swollen, my skin felt amazing and I got a good exercise workout without straining anything (salt water really supports your body). Not being a strong swimmer I am always a bit afraid of going in for a swim in the sea also hate the cold but with the use of a wet suit I was able to stay in for over an hour! I was telling my spiritual healer about it and she reminded me that swimming in cold water or taking a cold shower can kick start the immune system, ah the penny dropped, maybe thats why I wanted to swim in the sea! As a cancer patient my immune system has failed me in not killing off the rogue cells, could be that it needs a good kick up the ass! She also informed me that she knew a couple of elderly ladies one of whom is 85 years old that either take a daily or weekly dip in the sea! The 85 year old swears that it's the one thing that has kept her healthy and helped with anti ageing. 

Four health benefits for cold water swimming.

Although the air temperatures may be up there in the first few weeks of summer, the lake takes a bit longer to heat up, making for those first few dips a bit frigid. Did you know there are actually health benefits to cold water swimming? Consider these four health benefits for cold water swimming to entice you into a pre-summer plunge:

1. Boosts your immune system: Drastic temperature changes to your body causes sudden shock; however scientists from the Czech Republic found this to be a good thing. The scientists immersed subjects in cold water for one hour, three times a week, and monitored their physiology. They found significant increases in white blood cell counts and several other factors relating to the immune system. This was attributed to the cold water being a mild stressor which activates the immune system and gives it some practice.

2. For an all-natural high: Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and, in the case of a cold dip, it uses them to take the sting away from your skin. So, to get high on your own supply, all you need to do is jump in the cold pond.

3. Burns calories: Swimming in cold water will make your body work twice as hard to keep you warm and burn more calories in the process.

4. Gets your blood pumping: Being hot brings blood to the surface. Being cold sends it to your organs. Both extremes work your heart like a pump which helps flush your circulation for starters, pushing blood through all your capillaries, veins and arteries. You could get these benefits by switching between the hot and cold taps in your shower, but that doesn’t sound nearly as fun as quick dip in East Lake followed by a warm wrapping afterwards.

Original source http://thenextchallenge.org/2010/02/cold-water-swimming/

So it would seem I need to get over being such a baby when it comes to the cold and kick start my immune system into working properly. Will keep you all posted on my progress. In the meantime here's some links that you might find interesting. 

Love and light to you all x

http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/cold-showers.html

Weird Coincidence and Vitamins

Today I went out to my favorite charity shop and walked into their book room where I chanced upon a book entitled 'Food as Medicine' picked the book up and opened it up and there straight away first page I looked at was yep you guessed it on breast cancer (spooky coincidence) in particular the vitamin D connection, obviously I bought the book and am finding it extremely insightful explaining quite a few things I had previously heard of but misinterpreted.

According to research a number of breast cancer sufferers were tested and found to have unusually low levels of vitamin D, we get this vitamin from the sun BUT when we put high factor sun protection on as well as blocking the harmful rays we also block out the essential vitamin D, it makes sense to me that my own levels of vitamin D would be low because I practically hibernate during the winter months not only is it very cold where I live but also quite dark due to living in a rural location that is surrounded by woods and trees. I have been taking this vitamin along with vitamin's E, and C for the past 3 - 4 months and certainly feel ok, definitely the vitamin C is helping my immune system, I've recently had a cold and got over it in record time just under a week, which considering I am now immune compromised due to the chemo I was very pleased about and put it down to taking the vitamin C. I will continue to take all 3 vitamins until the summer and then instead of taking vitamin D I will go out and top up on some natural vitamin D in the sun.