If you’re looking for something new to add to your workout regime that’s great for both your mind and body, then why not dive into swimming? Not only will you get a great whole-body workout, but it’s a great way of clearing your mind and improving your mental health too.
It’s proven that swimming is a great way to escape our busy lives and has a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
The positive Impact of Swimming on Mental Health
A 2018 YouGov poll commissioned by Swim England discovered that:
- 1.4 million adults in Britain significantly reduced the symptoms of anxiety or depression through Swimming
- 3.3 million British adults with mental health problems swim at least once every 2-3 weeks.
Of this group:
- 43% feel happier.
- 26% feel more motivated to complete daily tasks
- 15% believe life feels more manageable
While this report focuses purely on mental health, swimming also has huge benefits for your physical health and wellbeing, shown in another report commissioned by Swim England in 2017 ‘The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming’. Studying over 80,000 swimmers, its key findings were:
- 28% of the group had a lower risk of early death.
- 41% of the group had a lower risk of death due to heart disease and strokes.
The key to these results were the positive impact swimming has on your body: Improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, improves lung capacity, reduces joint pain and increases bone strength.
Still need a little more encouragement to take that first dip? Check out our top reasons to jump in the pool and get swimming.
Games
Swimming is a great way of keeping the whole family active. There are games you can play at any age and any swimming ability. Try some fun relays using different swim strokes or Zoodles. If you have some confident swimmers try diving for treasure with the Zoggs Dive Sticks and Zoggy Dive Rings.
Take some friends
Had too much of the family this Christmas? Not a fan of the solo swim? How about joining a swimming club or take a group of friends along. Set some challenges, have some races or just a gossip at the end of the lane swimming can be a great way to catch up with friends.
Try Something New
Bored of lane swimming? Pool based activities have been on the increase recently and sessions like Aqua Aerobics are great for getting low-impact, pool-based exercise, but without the swimming. Looking for something a little more challenging? Give Water Polo or Synchronised Swimming a go! These activities can be done on your own or as another great way of catching up with friends. Even if it is laughing at each other because of their difficulty to do some of the moves in Aqua Aerobics.
Set a Training Plan to help your Mental Health
Not sure powering up and down the lanes is for you? Set yourself a target for each swim or a challenge for a series of swims and a training plan to achieve this.
Time to yourself
The best part of a swim. Take some time out of your busy life, forget about work and any other life stresses and enjoy the peace and quiet of the water. It is the perfect way to clear your head and maybe solve that problem you have been thinking about all week!
So what you waiting for? Head to your local pool, give swimming a go and start 2019 on a positive note!