“How To Rejuvenate Yourself In Less Than A Minute”

You want to feel reinvigorated, right? (I’m nodding my head yes. Are you?)

You’re ready to start over, right? (Raise your hand if you are.) Maybe you want to start over in your career, relationship, health, or your ___________ (fill in the blank).

Do you have a feeling you should do something? Well, now is the time to do something to make you proud.

I did something, which left me feeling absolutely exhilarated. It also helped me sleep through the night for ten hours. I jumped into the Atlantic Ocean during a New England winter. Caution: this is not for everyone. (And just a side note, I was not drinking alcohol.) I was with my husband and a bunch of wonderful friends. The guys were going to jump in the water, so in solidarity my friend Judy and I decided to get into our suits and try it, too. The first attempt was somewhat of a failure. We both got to our knees and that was it. We watched as the guys plunged their bodies into the stinging waters.

Thirty minutes later, Judy and I decided it was time to just go ahead and take the plunge. I don’t know what inspired us. I was sitting there thinking how the winter weather in Connecticut was perfect, and if I was ever going to do something crazy, now was the time to take the polar plunge!

As I was running to the water, I was very determined I was going to make it happen. There would be no turning back or stopping when I reached the water. When my feet hit the water, it was shocking. Then I just fell into the ocean—soaking in the coldness and feeling baptized by the chilled waters. I was in the sting of the surf when I realized that I felt totally rejuvenated … and it took less than a minute! Miracles of miracles!

My other friend, Lisa, was completely shocked we went in; so as to not leave her out, we dragged her in, too. So, for a second time we went into the ocean on a winter day on the shores of Connecticut!

It actually wasn’t bad. (Full disclosure, there was a hot tub nearby, air temperature was 45 degrees, and water temperature was 47 degrees.) My feet felt raw, as if icicles were piercing my skin. I learned from my friend Billy, a seasoned polar bear plunger, that the keeping of the feet was the key to staying warm. Good information if I plan to it again.

After my second plunge, I took a nice hot shower and changed into my clothes. Grabbing a lawn chair, I relished the rest of the winter day on the beach. I felt restored and refreshed. However, I mostly felt proud of the fact I tackled the ocean in the winter. Proud I committed to take the plunge and stepped outside my norm. I felt proud my fellow Baywatch Babes took the plunge with me. Even though we are empty nesters and on the other side of fifty, I was proud in our support of each other in our new emerging life.

I never thought jumping in the ocean during the winter was something I would ever do. It was stupid—why would I do it? I would be freezing. I would catch a miserable cold. I would mess up my hair. What was the purpose of plunging into cold waters only to feel numb? Well, quite the opposite happened; I didn’t feel numb, I felt happy and renewed! Will I do it again? I don’t know. Maybe.

Remember, you matter. Make yourself proud and do something that makes you proud! Just one thing can make a difference. You even might sleep through the night for ten hours, too!

Important: Share your thoughts and ideas directly in the comments. What are you going to do to make yourself feel proud?