Swimming a life skill with numerous benefits
- 15 June 2022
Swimming has numerous benefits and applications in life, making it as one of the most important life skills that should be learned whether in childhood or in adulthood. It is never too late! Let’s take a look at a few important and beneficial aspects related to swimming.
Safety. The most important aspect of knowing how to swim is staying safe in and around water. There can be a water hazards anywhere in one’s life– not just at swimming pools, but also at ponds, water parks, drains/canals, and beaches. Human beings are adapted to walking on land with our own two feet, but learning to swim will allow you to be as comfortable in the water as you are walking on a sidewalk. Knowing how to move in and through water is paramount in dealing with emergency situations you may find yourself or your loved ones in.
RECREATION
Being able to swim opens up a lot of recreational possibilities you couldn’t engage in otherwise. Surfing, kayaking, boat fishing, water polo, scuba diving, and snorkeling are a few of the fun water activities you would sorely miss out on if you didn’t know how to swim.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Swimming is an activity that exercises the entire body. Water offers greater-than-air resistance, which provides great strength training. Swimming can be pursued throughout life as it is a low-impact sport and doesn’t hurt your joints even if you swim frequently. Because water supports our body weight, even people with challenged mobility and special needs can learn to swim. The breath control swimming and the stronger lungs swimming is a great remedy for asthma.
MENTAL WELLBEING
Swimming also provides psychological benefits, whether it’s to help us learn to focus through challenging sets, or allow our minds to relax during slow easy swims. Learning to swim also provides a confidence boost and feeling of achievement. For children swimming offers a chance to become involved in a sport whether as an individual or as part of a team. They learn the importance of practice, discipline, and teamwork.
Learning to swim is a skill that once learnt is rarely forgotten and it can be learnt at all ages. Thus, it’s never too late to learn swimming.
“You can’t stop the waves. But you can learn how to swim” – Jon kabat zin
Shaik Zia Ur Rehman
PYP Swimming Teacher
