TRANSFORMED BY OUR VITALITY MAKEOVERS
Are you looking for a new activity that helps you feel – and look – fabulous? Take inspiration from three women who’ve discovered what gives them zest
How exercise changed these three women’s lives
‘Swimming is the best beauty routine - it beats lipstick!’ Pippa Best, 48, feels revitalised after swimming off the Cornish coast – and ready to take on anything
Before I go for my morning swim, I’m tired and grumpy from organising my kids and worrying about the work day ahead. But when I step out of the sea 15 minutes later, I feel like a goddess! I can’t stop smiling and I feel so positive, like I can achieve anything.
I moved to Penzance in 2003 with my husband, Carn, and it’s where we decided to raise our son and daughter, now 13 and 10. But, though the sea is just minutes away, I only started swimming in it four years ago.
I was going through a difficult period, working through the summer holidays as a film script editor, while also running retreats and working as a life coach. Carn is a film location manager and was working away and the kids were at a holiday club. It was a lot to juggle and life felt very hectic.
Every day, after the children had gone to their club, I’d walk down to the sea to sit on the beach and enjoy some quiet time. There was a group of swimmers, aged 60-plus, I’d always watch getting in to the water. One day, one of the ladies approached me and asked if I’d like to join them. I needed something to help clear my head and cheer me up before tackling the day ahead, so I thought, ‘Why not?’
EXHILARATED
The next day, I arrived at the beach in my swimsuit. I felt self-conscious, but the group was welcoming and, as we headed along Penzance prom chatting, I began to relax.
Carefully stepping down the granite steps into the sea I gasped as the icy water hit my ankles. Taking a moment to control my breathing, I took another step and then another, so the water eventually covered my knees, then thighs. Then,
I took one last breath and pushed myself off, letting the water take me.
I was so focused on my breathing and moving to keep warm that all the stress I’d been feeling was erased from my mind. I only did 50 strokes one way and back, but I’d never felt so present. When I got out of the water and hugged my towel around my body, I felt exhilarated, like I could take on whatever the world threw at me.
Since then, I swim at least five times a week – in the mornings – sometimes even twice a day. The buzz I get from the coldness of the water and stepping out of my comfort zone has become addictive.
In summer, I swim for around 30 minutes, but in winter this drops to around 10 minutes. I do a range of strokes, but sometimes I just lie on my back floating, watching the sky and seagulls. On a good day I’ll finish with some handstands in the shallows! I still swim with my group, but sometimes it is nice to swim alone.
I have goggles and, in spring and summer, I love sticking my head beneath the surface and seeing the underwater world of kelp and seaweed forests. Sometimes seals even swim with me, which is magical, though also a little scary.
When I walk out of the water, I am glowing and have a huge grin on my face. My friends always joke, ‘The sea looks great on you!’ It’s made such a difference to how I feel and when I broke my foot in 2019 and couldn’t swim for six weeks, it was tough. I felt so sad, but my lovely friend brought me a little jar of seawater just so I could feel it on my skin again.
I wanted to share everything I’d learned from the sea and the gifts it has given me, so in 2018 I set up my business Sea Soul Blessings. I sell mindfulness books, cards and online experiences to help others explore the magic of the sea. I honestly believe this is the best health-and-beauty routine I’ve ever had; it’s quick and I always feel and look so energised afterwards. For me, it’s certainly better than lipstick!
For more info, visit seasoulblessings.com goodhousekeeping.com/uk
Every time I walk out of the water, I am glowing