Swimming: A lifelong skill

Swimming: A lifelong skill

Swimming: A lifelong skill The Ultimate Lineup

Who doesn’t want to jump into a cool, inviting pool or sun filled lake?

Learning to swim is important for several reasons. One of the top reasons is safety.  Swimming is a skill that can save your life. It is also a very complete and healthy sport.  Learning to swim can benefit you throughout your life.  The benefits of swimming are endless, and your child should learn to swim as early as possible. Celebrate National Learn to Swim Day on May 21.  Here are several reasons why everyone should learn to swim:

It’s essential to safety.  According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to children ages one through 14. It is absolutely crucial that all kids know how to swim at a young age. There is water all around us, even if it’s as small as a bathtub. Making sure that your child is comfortable in and around water is essential to their safety.  Even if your child isn’t interested in competitive swimming, ensuring your child knows how to swim should be done as early as possible. Their interest in the actual sport is just an added benefit!

It’s a low-impact sport.  Swimming is obviously low-impact, as it’s performed in water. According to Bucknell University, the body is 90 percent buoyant when in the water up to your neck, so you’re not hitting the ground with the weight you carry on land. Swimming is the ideal sport for the well being of one’s body in the long run.

Swimming is an incredible workout.  The sport involves moving multiple muscle groups in a high-intensity, cardio workout. All four strokes involve working different muscle groups. Often times, children and adults take up swimming for weight loss. It burns calories quickly, and is easier for overweight people to pick up because it’s low-impact.  Aside from weight loss, introducing your child to swimming early on will promote a healthy life. Once he or she learns to swim, they may hop in a pool at any point in their life to get a low-risk, high-intensity workout.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming can help with chronic diseases and mental health.  The CDC also states that “Parents of children with developmental disabilities find that recreational activities, such as swimming, improve family connections.” Swimming also releases endorphins, which aid in decreasing depression and improving moods.

You can swim for the rest of your life.  If your child knows how to swim at a young age, this skill is forever with them. In their later years, their longevity and quality of life will be enhanced by swimming. The CDC says that water exercising helps to decrease disability and aids in the quality of life in older adults. Since swimming is a low-impact sport, this makes it a safe option for older adults, rather than risking a fall while biking or running. Swimming feels good on joints and boosts one’s mood at the same time.

It’s essential that every child learn to swim, especially to be water safe. But there are so many levels of swimming and benefits that come along the way. Introduce your child to swimming early on so that they have the skill for their whole life. This can help improve their overall physical and mental health. Hopefully, they will fall in love with the sport and lap it up for years.

Learn more about swimming here:

Swimming News | Swimming World (swimmingworldmagazine.com)