Grin and bear it

We're not kidding ourselves that the more active we are, the better we feel however bracing it may be out there.

- Marc Wilson

Last week, I was at the Innovations in Health Psychology conference in Clyde (that appeared to have booked out all of the Central Otago town's accommodation). The conference "entertainment" included a couple of mountain bike rides. I was allocated, sensibly, to the Auripo-to-Omakau ride, which is less than 20km.

It was colder than any of us had been led to expect. When we picked up our bikes, the briefing started with a guide on how to recognise hypothermia. 

Many emotions were experienced. Surprise (at the mention of hypothermia), resignation, and, ultimately, joy (at getting to the cafe in Omakau). I was sustained by looking to my left to see health psychology luminary Ronan O'Carroll looking determined and focused (he says he was determined not to freeze to death).

I mention this because the next day, Professor Sarah Pressman, of the University of California, Irvine, started her conference talk by ripping the scab off our wounds and showing photos of our facial expressions.