Kata’s Plank Challenge

For the past month we have been challenging the house and visitors to see how long they can hold a plank for!

A plank is a good way to train your abdominal muscles, but has many other benefits such as: improving stability, aiding posture, reducing back pain, strengthening your back and arm muscles!

Check out our leaderboard:

Keeping it reel at the lake

Bianka took full advantage of our beautiful weather and surroundings, by going to relax by the lake and even went for a swim! The lake was 10 degrees Celsius and Bianka felt the benefits!

Benefits of swimming in cold water:

1. It boosts your immune system

The effects of cold water on the immune system have been studied widely. Cold water helps to boost the white blood cell count because the body is forced to react to changing conditions. Over time, your body becomes better at activating its defences.

2. It makes you happier

Cold water swimming activates endorphins. This chemical is what the brain produces to make us feel good during activities. Cold water swimming is also a form of exercise, and exercise has been proven to treat depression. Cold water swimming brings us close to the pain barrier. Endorphins are released when we’re in pain, to help us cope with it.

3. It improves your circulation

Cold water swimming flushes your veins, arteries, and capillaries. It forces blood to the surface and helps to warm our extremities. Repeated exposure adapts us to the cold.

4. It burns calories

The heart has to pump faster in cold water and the body must work harder to keep everything warm while swimming. Overall, far more calories are burned during cold water swimming than swimming in warmer conditions. The idea that drinking cold water increases the number of calories you burn may be a myth, but it is a fact that cold water decreases your body temperature so much that the body must act.

5. It reduces stress

Cold water swimming places stress on the body physically and mentally. Many studies have identified the link between cold water and stress reduction. Cold water swimmers become calmer and more relaxed.