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Cold water swimming causes shaking which releases trauma trapped in the muscles 
When we freeze due to fear we don't always shake afterwards to release that fear, like a bird does after it comes round from 'playing dead' 
Shaking releases the held stress 
RD Laing equates this freezing with Madusa, turning to stone, frozen on the spot 


Sent from my iPhone

On 13 Sep 2018, at 14:26, Sarah Head <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I have long considered that the medieval practice of bowsenning must have occurred across the whole of the UK although the remnants are only reported in Cornwall and Scotland. It is interesting that the practice of dousing/dunking people with cold water was retained in the York Retreat as a helpful practice for those with mental health difficulties and taken up by other Asylums around the country as they were built. I haven't heard what used to happen in Bedlam but presumably cold water therapy was used there if there was a sufficient supply of water.

I remember watching the original programme on cold water swimming in 2016, so presumably the practice has been going for many years, although without large scale publicity/research/reports. The Portsmouth team have a brief to investigate various "complementary" therapies and have a chequered history of support or discrediting, depending on your own personal viewpoint.

If memory serves me correctly, there is another holy well pool near to St Winifred's which is large enough for swimming. It makes me wonder whether we should be promoting these in some small way to those who are suffering. I have two springs which have been dowsed as containing healing properties and one of the endless projects we have is to fill the manmade pool with water all year round. I get many people who come with stress and depression so this may be another resource for them if they wish to partake.

Sarah

On 13 September 2018 at 08:28 "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

This BBC webpage reports apparent success in treating depression with (carefully monitored) cold water swimming. Reminded me of 'bowsenning'. Good to have some current scientific basis for historic practices associated with holy wells/living water:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45487187

Not sure if members outside the UK can get BBC newspages. A research team from Portsmouth University has published the findings; searches may locate some other reports, otherwise.

Chris Buckley





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