And the Dig It <\/a>podcast host also says it helps her arthritis. ‘Over the last 10 years, it’s gotten worse, it just comes with age… I feel quite achy a lot of the time, my joints are really achy, my shoulders, my fingers, my hands, and after I’ve done something [like swimming] I feel loose, I feel more flexible.’<\/p>\n Oleg Breslavtsev<\/p>\n While Jo also runs and lifts weights, it’s swimming that she loves… and she doesn’t just stick to the swimming pool; wild swimming<\/a> is also part of her routine. ‘It\u2019s that rush you get after you\u2019ve been in the water when you\u2019ve been in freezing temperatures,’ she says. ‘It\u2019s really energising and life-affirming.’<\/p>\n She praises the ‘really lovely community of like-minded souls’ that enjoy wild swimming, and adds: ‘I [would be] standing there screaming, \u2018It\u2019s really hurting!\u2019 It\u2019s two minutes of pain, your nerves and all the blood rushing awake. But it\u2019s a great feeling.’<\/p>\n So what is it about swimming that offers such an impressive reset? ‘For me, it\u2019s one of the few activities where your attention is completely in the present,’ says Brighton-based swimming coach Rachael Hunter Dunn<\/a>. ‘Whether you\u2019re in a pool or open water, all aspects of swimming demand just enough focus to quieten the constant mental chatter, so its almost meditative.<\/p>\n ‘Swimming is one of the most joint-friendly forms of exercise because the buoyancy of the water supports your body weight, and allows you to move through a full range of motion, so you build strength and fitness with much less impact. Many people with arthritis find they can move more freely in the water, helping to reduce stiffness and improve confidence in movement.’<\/p>\n And wild swimming, she says, can be particularly transformative. ‘Your breathing changes, your heart rate increases and you become completely present in the moment. There is an incredible sense of achievement and wellbeing during and afterwards and I think it\u2019s a combination of the body\u2019s natural response mixed with being outdoors in nature thats the key.<\/p>\n ‘If you’re a beginner, start in warmer months if possible and build up gradually so your body has time to acclimatise. Always swim with others and not alone and go for recognised swimming locations. It’s vital you understand the water conditions in your area and enter the water slowly to allow your breathing to settle before swimming. Don\u2019t stay in too long, especially when you\u2019re giving it a go for the first few times. Take warm clothes and a hot drink.<\/p>\n ‘I\u2019ve spent many years coaching swimmers of all abilities, teaching open water skills and swimming in lakes, the sea and cold water myself. One thing I\u2019ve learnt is that cold water isn\u2019t about being tough, it\u2019s about being prepared and understanding your own limits. Just build your confidence gradually and you\u2019ll enjoy the natural high.’<\/p>\n![\"swimming](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/d09a347c-9993-4194-a622-17a3afac5c44.jpg\" "\\"View")
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