Goal
Achieve mental and physical relaxation through water-based exercise 💦
Problem
Difficulty finding a way that relaxes both the mind and body while:
- Struggling to manage stress effectively
- Boredom with traditional meditation or mindfulness practices
Solution
Dive into swimming as a refreshing way to stay fit – and finally, relax.
In a nutshell:
- Find a pool closeby for swimming
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting swimwear and goggles
- Start with basic strokes like freestyle, breaststroke, or backstroke
- Maintain a steady, relaxed breathing pattern
- Step-by-step, increase the duration and intensity of your swimming sessions
My Take
Swimming is a standout option for me 🏊♂️ It’s a great full-body workout that – at the same time – comes with coordinated breathing exercises. Pretty cool!
In addition, swimming engages multiple muscle groups and releases endorphins, our natural stress relievers.
One of the significant benefits I’ve noticed is how swimming can help ease tensions in the neck and shoulders, which are common problem areas for stress-related discomfort. Emerging from … 👨💻
Anyway. Compared to other techniques, swimming offers a refreshing change of pace while also providing physical benefits and targeting specific areas of tension.
Oh, and just a little note: it is annoying when water gets trapped in your ears during a swim. So, I invested in good waterproof earplugs to make my swimming experience more enjoyable – to get into the flow without any “ear-ritating” distractions …
PROS
- Low-impact workout for all fitness levels (no excuses!)
- Combines physical activity with stress relief (awesome!)
- Offers variety with different strokes and swimming styles
- Can be a social activity or a solo pursuit
CONS
- Requires access to a pool (not always easy)
- Initial learning curve for proper technique
- Can be challenging for those with a fear of water
INSIGHTS
When I started with swimming exercises years ago, I first watched a few YouTube videos to learn about the exact techniques and the respective breathing. Highly recommended!
Other than that, here are some of my insights:
- Swim during less crowded times. It’s more fun, just nicer and more relaxed (what I am actually trying to achieve 😅). Early morning or late evening works well for me.
- Learn one technique and stick to it for a while. I went for crawl strokes to tackle tensions in the neck and shoulders.
- Focus on your breathing while swimming. Once you master the selected swimming technique AND the correct breathing at the same time, you’re getting into a nice flow 🤙
