The Benefits of Swimming for Mental Health

“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.” - Jacques Cousteau

Can you remember the feeling of your first swim? There's nothing quite like the sense of relaxation and stress relief that comes after a swim, whether you start or end your day with it. From the first stroke, the stress of the day washes off your body as the water flows over your skin. You feel weightless yet powerful as you glide onward.

We all know that swimming is excellent exercise, but sometimes we forget that swimming is just as beneficial for your mind as it is for your body. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada, Seal Swimming is highlighting the top five mental health benefits that swimming provides for children and younger adolescents.

Swimming is a valuable addition to your self-care routine, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Even for those without specific mental health concerns, getting in the water can improve your mood, reduce stress, and help you unwind.

1. Swimming as Stress Relief for Children

Swimming has long been advocated and prescribed by health boards worldwide as a tool to combat mental health issues and anxiety in children. This is because endorphins, released during exercise, counteract the stress hormones produced by the body.

Swimming initiates several responses in children, such as lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate—all responses to stress and anxiety. The rhythmic actions of swimming and the supportive learn-to-swim environment positively impact your child's anxiety and behaviour.

2. Swimming Stimulates Brain Development in Children

A scientific study by the Griffith Institute for Educational Research found that children who learn to swim earlier reach major cognitive developmental milestones—including speech, literacy, numeracy, and visual-motor skills—much earlier than their peers who do not swim.

Increased blood flow helps improve memory, mood, clarity, and focus, and helps children sleep better. Every parent knows that better sleep can reduce daily stress and improve behavior!

3. Swimming Increases Physical Development in Children

Swimming is a low-impact, full-body exercise that significantly benefits a child's physical development. Baby and toddler swimming helps early development of fine and gross motor skills.

For children, swimming improves cardiovascular function, builds strong muscles, increases lung capacity, aids in weight management, and enhances overall fitness. The benefits for children and infants are numerous and plentiful.

4. Swimming Helps with Breathing Regulation, Reducing Stress and Anxiety

The ability to regulate breathing is an integral aspect of swimming. When stressed or panicked, people tend to take shallower, more rapid breaths, which can lead to hyperventilation and possibly panic attacks.

However, the rhythmic breathing patterns in swimming ensure sufficient air intake, preventing such attacks. Swimming is a great workout for your lungs, as it forces you to inhale and exhale evenly and in a controlled manner. This helps lower blood pressure, eliminate toxins from the body, and assist in relaxation.

5. Swimming Releases Endorphins and Serotonin

Exercise, including swimming, causes the release of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones produced in the pituitary gland in response to stress or pain.

These endorphins interact with brain receptors to reduce the perception of pain. Along with serotonin, endorphins promote a sense of happiness, positivity, and well-being. Research has proven that regularly getting these feel-good hormones flowing (through exercise) offers deep mental health benefits and helps the body respond better to stress in general.

Sign Up for Swimming Lessons Today!

Interested in enrolling yourself or your child in swimming lessons? Visit Seal Swimming's Swim Portal for more information or contact one of our swimming experts to learn more. Embrace the mental and physical benefits of swimming today!