By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Just Keep Swimming
With all the trials and tribulations of the world today it’s important to remember the wise words of Dory from Finding Nemo: “just keep swimming.” It’s a reminder in these rough seas to keep going, be resilient, and find some optimism for the future. Beyond this note of encouragement, there are also mental and physical benefits to actual swimming. We are surrounded by beautiful waters here in South Pinellas, from the gulf to the bay, to public and private swimming pools. The water is a perfect place to find serenity and calm. After all, it’s where our lives begin, bathing in the amniotic fluid in the womb.
I was taught to swim at an early age because my mother was afraid of water, having survived a near-drowning incident in her youth. She wanted to make sure that her children were safe in or near any body of water. While other children spent their summers sleeping in, my brother and I woke up at the crack of dawn for swim team practice at the local pool. I became a very skilled swimmer, though never a fast one. As one coach told me, “You have a beautiful stroke, but you’ll never win anything.”
He was right, but I am grateful now for those swim practices which have allowed me to feel comfortable and confident in the water. My husband and I both attended Emory University, which requires all students to either pass a swim test or a swim class before graduating. I guess they don’t see the point in educating someone who could drown. I passed the challenging swim test a few days into my freshman year. My husband could not pass the test and delayed taking the 8am swim class until his senior year to graduate. This gives insight into our differing approaches to vacation packing as well. Nevertheless, we are both good swimmers, and he went on to complete several 2.4-mile Ironman swims in the ocean. I just enjoy snorkeling and swimming with sea creatures. My point is that swimming is both an important skill to learn, and a way to enrich your life.
MENTAL BENEFITS
While swimming is an Olympic sport, it’s also a meditative practice. The water immersion and rhythmic breathing allow the mind to relax, lowering stress and anxiety. Swimming also helps with mood regulation by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – the neurotransmitters that bring happiness and relaxation. Being in or near the water causes the “Blue Mind” effect, lowering cortisol levels, reducing mental fatigue, and boosting feelings of peace and wellness. Swimming also enhances cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, improving memory and concentration. Learning the skill of swimming can help children build confidence and boost their self-esteem. When you swim at a club or public pool there is social interaction, which can alleviate feelings of isolation. New evidence suggests that cold water swimming can even help treat depression instead of using medication. So, next time you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, put on your bathing suit and take a dip in the calming waters.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Swimming provides a full-body, high-intensity cardiovascular workout but with low impact on the joints. The water resistance tones muscles and builds endurance in almost every muscle group in the body. Swimming builds cardiovascular strength by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. The breathing patterns required for swimming increase lung strength and capacity. With the weightless support of the water, swimming is gentle on the joints and is helpful for people with arthritis, those undergoing injury rehabilitation, pregnant women, and people fighting obesity. In fact, swimming is excellent for weight management, burning 200 calories in just 30 minutes of exercise. With all the reaching and twisting, swimming also increases flexibility and range of motion. The deep breathing and relaxation of swimming can even improve sleep patterns.
You don’t have to be a great swimmer to enjoy the positive health effects of exercising in the water. You can try water walking or water aerobics until you feel more comfortable with your swimming skills. If you want to learn to swim, the city of St. Petersburg offers lessons throughout the summer at their St. Pete Parks & Recreation public pools. The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg offers swim lessons at the Speer and Jim & Heather Gills YMCA locations. There are also private companies who offer swim lessons at your home pool. You are never too old to learn how to swim! If you are already a seasoned swimmer, North Shore Aquatic Complex offers a “Swim to Stay Fit” membership for $35 a month or $350 a year, as well as swim classes and activities. If you prefer to swim in the ocean, we are fortunate to have several beautiful beaches on the Gulf side, most with lifeguards to provide extra swim safety. In downtown St. Pete, you can swim at Spa Beach or North Shore Park Beach, and in South St. Pete there is Lassing Park Beach or Maximo Park Beach. Please note that these city park beaches do not have lifeguards on duty.
Swimming is excellent exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. You can challenge your entire body without doing harm to it. The freestyle stroke works the whole body, especially shoulders, back and glutes. Backstroke targets the shoulders, back and chest, and is great for improving posture. Breaststroke works out the chest, shoulders and thighs, and the challenging butterfly stroke uses the core, shoulders, chest and forearms. For cardiovascular fitness, muscle toning, weight management, and mental health, swimming scores high marks. Just 30 minutes of swimming 3-5 times a week can have lasting long-term health benefits. So put on those goggles and just keep swimming!