Bay bath #2 this season was fantastic. Water temp: 44.5º. Air temp: 55º. I spent ten minutes in the water, and my heart rate stayed around 55 bpm. The moderate air temperature and lack of wind made a huge difference. Today, I just enjoyed it.
The best thing about going out into the bay is how it shifts your mind into winter mode. Sun setting early? Cold mornings walking to my car? Icy wind blowing while I get gas? Not a concern. “I just walked into the bay and lay down for ten minutes.” I mentally beat winter.
Getting the water over your heart is important. The hardest part is submerging myself completely with the water covering my shoulders and hitting the back of my head. The burning sensation of ice cold water on my brainstem is uniquely obnoxious.
Today turned out really well. It’s an hour later and I’m shivering so hard that it’s hard to type, but I am glad I did it. The sunset was beautiful and I meditated and practiced box breathing.
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