The ability to swim is an important life skill, especially for seniors. It can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall health. Studies have shown that people who regularly participate in swimming have a reduced risk of death due to heart disease, and that it helps lower blood pressure and control cholesterol. If you are unsure about how to get started, consult with your doctor for safe exercise guidelines.
If you’re thinking about learning to swim, the most important thing is to stick with it. Keeping swimming as part of your weekly routine will accelerate the process of becoming comfortable in the water and building skills. When you’re starting out, it’s best to stay in shallow water until you have gotten acclimated and comfortable with the environment.
When you’re ready to move to the deeper end of the pool, try to limit your time there as well. This will ensure that you’re not overexerting your body in a way that could lead to an injury. If you’re having trouble with breathing in the water, try holding your breath for a few seconds before taking a stroke. Once you have the breathing down, continue to focus on technique and speed before focusing on increasing distance.
Swimming is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, but it also targets multiple muscle groups. Aside from the major leg muscles, it engages your shoulders, back, core and hips as you move through the water. This combination of strength and aerobic activity can make it a challenging workout for beginners, but it is one of the most effective ways to burn calories and build stamina.
As a bonus, swimming is a great way to relax and decompress. It releases endorphins, which can elevate your mood, and it may even help you sleep better at night. A study published in 2014 showed that adults who swam laps twice a week for 12 weeks experienced a positive impact on their cognition and mood, compared to those who did not swim.
Aside from the obvious physical benefits of swimming, it is a great mental exercise as well. The repetitive nature of the sport is stimulating to the brain and can improve concentration. In addition, it can help you forget your problems and focus solely on the task at hand.
The next time you’re at the pool, consider joining a swim team or scheduling regular lessons with a professional instructor. This will make it harder to skip sessions because other people are expecting you to show up. Try varying your strokes as well – you can swim breaststroke on one day, freestyle the next and backstroke on another to challenge yourself while targeting different muscle groups. Having a goal in mind and a group of supportive people to keep you accountable will give you the motivation to stick with your plan, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Swimming is a fun and rewarding activity that’s perfect for people of all ages.