What’s It Like to Swim in Hampstead?

Hampstead Heath ponds by Brett Jordan, Unsplash

The thrill of swimming outdoors in freezing water in Hampstead is world famous. Open-air swimming with the Ladies’ Pond, the Men’s Pond, the Mixed Pond and the Parliament Hill Lido is not for everybody, but devotees love it.

Chakra Humming for Healing

golden hour photography of woman in red and white checkered dress shirt

Each chakra rules a different part of our body, mind or spirit. Balancing these – meditating while humming – is said to increase relaxation and happiness. Healing is possible, according to some real-life reviews on YouTube, using the 10 million+ hit Meditative Mind channel. And it’s free.

Wild Swimming for Depression

woman swimming under water

Mark Harper, a doctor at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, in Britain, believes regular cold-water swimming reduces inflammation, which is associated with ailments from pain to depression. He is a cold-water sea swimmer himself. He believes you may not react as much to stress in daily life, if you swim outdoors regularly.