I’m the first to admit I’m not a strong swimmer.
Nor am I fast.
But when I started taking swimming lessons well over a decade ago on the advice of a physiotherapist because of the chronic neck and shoulder pain I had been experiencing, little did I realise the wealth of other benefits that would unfold.
Swimming is often described as a total-body workout. You’re using your body to propel you through the water, hopefully in the direction you want. Like learning to drive a car, a lot is going on as you discover how to coordinate your breathing so as not to swallow half the pool, pace yourself so as not to run out of steam halfway through a length, and how to turn at the end of the pool so you don’t knock yourself out.
When I first started my lessons, I would get home exhausted. Then, as my fitness and stamina gradually improved, I found I could swim further with less effort—bonus!
So, why swim?
Let’s take a look at the benefits swimming brings, even if you’re not a natural water baby.
- I found I loved being in the water—the buoyancy, the sense of freedom, and the joy of immersion. My feel-good chemicals were in overdrive. More endorphins meant more pleasure, and more dopamine meant the delicious anticipation of looking forward to that next swim.
- My aches and pains started melting away, and I realised just how much muscular tension I had been holding in my body until then. Operating under high levels of stress had, over time, created a collective of physical ailments that I hadn’t appreciated were building up and causing harm.
- Less muscular tension and feeling less stressed meant I was not only more relaxed but also less anxious. Anxiety has been my middle name for years and yes, I’ve sought help from psychologists and taken medication from time to time.
But how much better to discover that swimming (and other forms of exercise) can help alleviate that terrible knot that consistently sat in my chest. This didn’t happen overnight and worked best when I swam twice weekly. Being at ease and in a good mood sets you up to better manage that pesky stress response. I stopped worrying so much! - Swimming is also good for depression. A scoping review showed that aquatic exercise (think swimming and aquarobics) generates positive mental health effects, resulting in some individuals reducing the need for anti-depressant medication and feeling better. A ten-week outdoor swimming course was shown to improve mood and well-being.
- Swimming provided a mental space where I could switch off from work and everything else and fall into a slightly meditative state as I followed that black line on the bottom of the pool. When feeling a bit stuck, I’ve found that going for a swim often leads to an insight on how to resolve a particular problem, and I work far more effectively when I get back to work afterwards.
- I felt better generally and slept better at night. Actually, I started sleeping like a log 😊
- It gave me greater confidence to try swimming in different environments. I don’t love ocean swimming (it’s too salty, and when it gets rough, I get seasick!), but I’m happy to take the plunge. I love snorkelling and kayaking, and going on a holiday to the Ningaloo Reef was a fantastic and memorable experience. I’ve also tried wild swimming in rivers and lakes and enjoyed those experiences too.
- My swimming lessons introduced me to a new crowd of swimming buddies.
- It’s taught me a life skill I’ll always be able to draw on.
But most of all, I love swimming outside.
I get that not everyone has access to an outside pool. We’re fortunate enough to live in an area where we do. There is something super special about stepping into a pool surrounded by trees and the sky and feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin. It’s fun even when it’s raining, and hey, you were going to get wet anyway.
Spending time in a blue space, i.e. water, whether you’re swimming, walking along a beach, or walking by a river, is fabulous for improving your health and well-being. Marine biologist the late Walter J. Nichols introduced us to the blue mind theory, which states that water in all its forms can affect us in a positive way.
If you’re a swimmer, why do you? Swim, that is.
