Saltwater, Sweat & Tears

Saltwater, Sweat & Tears.
Pure magic.

There is something about saltwater, sweat & tears that seems to literally & figuratively wash away the world’s problems.
I can obviously only speak from my own experience here, but I’d be willing to bet that most would agree that one or a combination of these three can re-vitalise and re-energise you in ways like no other.

Saltwater.

If you are a frequent reader of my journals you will know I feel deeply connected to the ocean.
I have one spot in particular near my home that I gravitate to.
South Cronulla.
It almost feels a little European down there.
Cafe on the waterfront.
Amazing restaurant just past that.
Timber boardwalk, concrete steps, protected from the notorious southerly that blow up keeping it warm year-round.
In summer, you can barely get a spot.
In winter it’s still busy but there is a calmness to it.
I personally prefer to enter the ocean from the rocks.
Just this morning I was down there post workout wading into crystal clear water, clear blue skies, people going about their day.
Nothing other than complete presence seems to exist when I am in the ocean. Salt on my skin. Sun on my face.

For years now I have gone to the ocean.
For peace. For clarity. For leisure. For recovery. For pleasure. For connection.

Sweat

Move your body. It doesn’t even need to be purposeful. It helps if it does, but not always.

It is known how beneficial physical activity is for the body & mind.
There is endless research on the positive long & short term outcomes.
It doesn’t have to be complex, it doesn’t have to be long in duration, it doesn’t have to be every single day.

For me, I find solace in pushing boundaries physically and mentally. I like lifting heavy weights. I like running long distances. I like challenging myself.

But more than anything I like the feeling of being drowned in sweat. When I’m happy. When I’m sad. When I’m excited. When I’m stressed.
Training will almost certainly make you feel good.
And just like being in the ocean provides presence, training can provide presence too.

Tears

Tears are harder to come by for me. There was a period there where I don’t think I cried for years & years.
I don’t think it was a masculinity thing, I think it was more the result of a major life event thing, and a protective mechanism.

However in recent years I have been able to unlock that ability simply by talking about emotional things. And it feels good to cry.

Sometimes on your own. Sometimes in the arms of someone you care about.
Just letting it out and not trying to contain it feels fucking good.

I could easily wrap this up and advise you to get more saltwater, sweat and tears in your life but I know there is an explanation as to why I value these elements so much.

Anytime something feels good it is generally related to a hormonal response. In all of these elements, there are key hormones that influence how you feel.

Oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and melatonin to name a few.

Besides the scientific and hormonal reasons, I have just found that saltwater, sweat and tears seem to make sense to me. Moreso saltwater and sweat than tears but I still value them equally.

Saltwater, sweat & tears.

Cleanse, regulate, connect.