Nothing beats a cool swim when you need to relieve stress, but it’s hard to relax when the summer heat and holidays mean your local pool is busier than Brighton beach. ..
Fortunately, you don’t have to flee to idyllic swimming spots to find peace of mind. By practicing careful swimming techniques that stimulate your “blue mind,” you can find calm in chaos.
Swimming is well known for relieving stress and anxiety. According to a YouGov study by Swim England, swimming helped 1.4 million adults in the UK reduce their symptoms of anxiety and depression, with many saying it made swimming happier and more motivated.
In fact, being in or near water has a positive effect on our mental health. More and more studies have shown that as you get closer to the water, levels of the happy hormones dopamine and oxytocin increase and levels of the stress hormone cortisol decrease.
Dr. Wallace J. Bluemind author Nichols explores the science behind how water benefits us cognitively and emotionally, believing: 75% is water.
When you see or hear water, it triggers your brain’s reaction that you are in the right place.
This slightly meditative state, or what Wallace calls the “blue heart,” can be activated in or near water through more accessible water sources, such as fountains and pools, as well as in the natural environment, such as lakes and oceans. Combined with mindfulness techniques, it provides a powerful antidote to daily stress.
What is mindful swimming?
Mindfulness is not about “distracting” yourself, but rather about acknowledging everything you are experiencing right now. Combining this sensory immersion with the physical immersion of swimming is a great way to do dynamic meditation.
Mindfulness and meditation teacher Rona Bailey said:
“Kick, squeeze, the breath comes with you every second.”
“Being underwater, a screen-free environment, gives us time to calm our minds.
“It increases new neurological pathways that allow us to find our calm from the pool by consciously focusing on breath work, physical activity, and goal setting.”
Charlie Inman, creative director of mental health training app Mindshine, swims most mornings for exercise and social contact. But when the conversation stops, my heart wanders.
He explains: “I am aware of everything that is going on, like the temperature of the water, how it feels on the body, the smell of the water, the feel of the muscles moving through the water, the taste of the water, etc. . Your body.
“Given the place where the suffering occurs, most of the time we are worried about what will happen in the future or think about our regrets from the past. Especially when swimming, everything is fine now.”
“Being here now allows you to take a break from what you always worry about, what you worry about and what you worry about being in the pool.”
How to swim safely in a crowded pool
But as soon as you relax… you have a bracelet on your face, your lane is a “swimming buddy”, and some teenagers go dive bombing. Don’t you bother with everything that distracts you?
Leo Oppenheim, head of yoga at BLOK gym, says it’s all part of the experience. “It’s just sensory information that you can observe and then release,” he explains. He can choose to respond to sounds and stimuli from the outside world and turn off the response.
“My advice is to take advantage of your breath. Your breath is always your anchor and determines your mood, emotions and reactions. Listen to their beats and rhythms. Take yourself inward and turn your awareness away from the outside.
Charly adds: Focus on the senses. If you find yourself starting to talk about them or judge yourself, realize that you are doing exactly that and recover your mind to focus on your senses. Ask yourself, “What is it like?”
You may be at that point, but swimming feels like a little catchphrase, and after a few laps you get breathless with heavy limbs and it’s hard to achieve that zen state. ..
Focus on making a few simple adjustments to your technique. Then you will be able to walk the path of inner peace as easily as a dolphin.
“How you position your body in the water can have a huge impact on durability and performance,” said Danielle Hancock, a swim instructor and coach for the social enterprise Better. “If you raise your head too high, your feet will sink. That is, if you have a hard time keeping your head, you will tire more quickly.”
“Don’t be afraid to put your head underwater, because it helps you simplify. If you’re not used to it, wear goggles to practice breathing underwater and exhale fully. Clear your lungs and then breathe again. Slow and steady breathe not only It relaxes you, but also ensures that your body gets enough oxygen during exercise.
Daniel doesn’t think it’s necessary to stick to the slow classical breaststroke. Mindfulness is also found in traditional quick strokes. “If you can swim easily, take a long time with each stroke and hold your breath. Even butterflies work with any stroke! The constant worry of hitting someone isn’t particularly relaxing, though. So avoid moving your back.
If you’re having trouble dealing with ambient noise, Lorna recommends headphones that help you focus on your breathing.
Both Daniel and Leo are fans of waterproof headphones that help monitor swimming with a single sensor. In fact, according to a Brunel University study, listening to music while exercising can improve your endurance by 15% and increase your positive feelings.
“I use them every time I swim,” says Daniel. “That means I can’t move easily and there’s no reason to quit. If I don’t play music, I’ll never see myself swimming well.”
Thoughtful swim training for your next pool session
Enjoy the entire experience, from the pool to showers and office changes.
Lorna said: Always return to the sounds of your breath and physical sensations.
Try and observe this technique of the five senses.
- 5 things you can see: reflections; waves; other people’s swimwear colors
- Four things you can hear: bubbles, splashes, children’s laughter, how does it sound underwater?
- Three things you can feel: temperature; float; water flows through your body
- Two things you can smell: chlorine; humidity from the indoor pool or summer air from the outside lid
- One thing you can try is to just drink your lips, it is better not to swallow water!
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Source: Metro
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
