Demystify Water

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that there is “nothing to fear but fear itself”. Fears may seem illogical and irrational at times, but it is important to address all questions to feel secure. Prepare the swimmer by letting them know what to expect in the water. This includes water filling up their ears and noses, and learning how to float.

One pressing concern of the moment would probably be related to fears of contacting COVID19 through swimming. The virus has not been proven to spread through plain water and the chlorine kills most respiratory diseases. Thus, it is one of the safest sports you can do now.

Practise Relaxation techniques

Athletes often use visualization techniques to get into the right mental state for competition. To be in a similar vein, imagining yourself in the water will aid you in being more prepared and calm when you enter the water.

Upon entering the pool, free your inner child by splashing water over your face. Let go of all your worries by chanting to yourself positive affirmations.

Next, learn to blow bubbles. This is especially the case when you are trying to deal with anxiety. Keeping a steady breathing flow will allow you to stay calm.

If you do find yourself starting to panic, you could count your breaths or even sing a line of a song to calm yourself. This has been proven to help open water swimmers who have to struggle in the face of competing crowds and rowdy waters.

Use of Floats

For those who still feel they need that extra assistance in the water, using floats or noodles would be a fun option. Instructors will slowly remove noodles when you have become more confident.

However, this is not recommended for babies as they will become over reliant on the floats and risk drowning in the event that they are separated from it.

Going Slow

As with any other skill you pick up in life, the best way is to start slow and feel comfortable at each stage. Learning how to backfloat and thread water will greatly improve your confidence. These techniques will allow you to stay afloat when you get tired from stroking.

Wear Goggles

Did you know that our daily life and perceptions rely almost completely on our sense of vision? Studies have proven that it affects up to 85% of what we do. It is no wonder that being able to see while underwater would be crucial in overcoming anxiety. Wearing goggles would remove the uncomfortable sensation of getting water in the eyes and allow them to see the bottom.

But, learning to swim without them at a later stage(after knowing how to swim) is crucial for survival swimming skills. It is paramount to be able to swim out of danger such as open water situations without gear. Ironically, getting used to swimming without goggles also reduces anxiety for safety in water.

Swim With Friends

Lastly, the best way to overcome any fear is to have fun. What better way to do so than when in the company of supportive friends? Signing up for private swimming lessons with your friend is an excellent way to meet new people who are in the same boat as yourself.

And having an instructor to watch out for your safety definitely helps in alleviating some fears. Private lessons will allow the coaches to give you undivided attention and hand-holding support if needed. Swimray will even go the extra mile (literally) to coach you at your doorstep, at your condominium’s swimming pool.

Just Keep Swimming

Fears do take a fair bit of time to overcome and progress is not always linear. One day you could be doing fine and the next, you are back to feeling paralyzed. Don’t give up and you might just be able to find that in letting go of the fear, you gain control of not only your swimming but your life.

Hi Readers! A peek into my life consists of figure skating, traveling, writing and doing many things to keep up my fitness like yoga and swimming. As a skating coach and former music & movement instructor, I hope to shed some light on how fitness and swimming in particular, can benefit and aid you. Cheers!