Swimmer's Daily

  • The physical benefits of swimming are well documented: it’s a cardiovascular workout that employs many muscles which are otherwise under-utilized. And that’s just for starters. But what of its mental advantages, of which there are many? And as an activity beloved of children, how do these positives manifest in the young?

    kids swimming sunglasses photo

    Here are just some of the mental benefits of swimming for children:

    Swimming stimulates mental development

    Swimming is an assault on the senses, with your body literally submerged in stimulation. And that, of course, is to the utmost benefit of a child, who requires this level of cognitive interaction to develop the many key skills that life demands.

    “Key to swimming’s benefits is the advancement of the senses which is critical to a child’s development. This mental stimulation is central to learning, but also social awareness and emotional development too. The physical side of swimming adds to this mental stimulus, as exercise has now been proven to facilitate without a shadow of a doubt,” argues Roger Carnoustie, a lifestyle blogger at Boomessays and Australian help.

    Swimming helps overcome fear

    The vast majority, if not all children love swimming, unless they develop a fear of the water at any early age, which is not uncommon. In fact, a fear of the water is a very natural reaction to have, especially before children develop the ability to swim. That is the very reaction that is required to aid survival. But as that fear is gradually overcome through a familiarity, acceptance and finally conquering of the water, the mental benefits of that growth cannot be underestimated.

    Swimming is also an empowering feeling for your child. The feeling of weightlessness in the water, and the ability to jump into the water and glide back to the surface provides a sense of incredible freedom, both physically, and as a result mentally too. This boosts confidence no end.

    Swimming can be a social activity

    Having swimming lessons can be an immensely social activity, even though swimming itself can be at times solitary (although that is no bad thing either). The ritual involved in going to the pool and getting changed to swim, and then getting changed again after fosters camaraderie and routine, and the unique learning environment that swimming provides is also incredibly beneficial to your child. These social interactions stand your child in good stead for the future, and the benefits of swimming continue to be felt.

    Swimming relieves stress

    Even at an early age we are susceptible to stress, and all the negative mental and physical symptoms that brings. Firstly, as a physical exercise, swimming releases endorphins which are recognized stress busters. The benefits of physical exercise to stress relief are well known. But there’s more.

    “Swimming is also a sport which regulates breathing, in a similar way to yoga. That control over breathing is a powerful weapon in the fight against such problems as anxiety, even in children. Regular deep breaths can help relax us in times of stress, and these skills that swimming teaches can be beneficially applied to real life scenarios too,” says Fran Wozinski, a health writer at Essayroo and Academized.

    When submerged in water, we enter a silent world too. That silent world is also conducive to stress busting, as we feel a surreal oneness with our surroundings that is difficult to mimic.

    Swimming fosters the ability to overcome mental hurdles

    Unlike many other animals, humans cannot swim naturally: it is a learnt skill. And once we learn to swim, we must then seek to improve our techniques to get quicker and more efficient through the water. If you start competing, rigorous training regimes are involved which are focused totally on self-improvement – swimming is a solo sport, after all.

    In short, there are always hurdles to overcome when it comes to swimming. As a child overcomes those hurdles with commitment and determination, that taches a mental fortitude which is essential for life. Once again, the mental benefits of swimming are being realized, and are able to be applied to real-life situations long after you exit the swimming pool. Once again, swimming proves its value.

    Conclusion

    The mental benefits of swimming are numerous. Added to the more overt physical benefits, and considering the fact it is an accessible and affordable activity, you are faced with one of the very best activities open to you and your child.

    Ellie Coverdale is a career writer with State of writing and BigAssignments. Among other skills and interests, Ellie enjoys sharing her job hunting, professional development and wellness tips with her audience. Ellie also teaches writing classes at EliteAssignmentHelp.

  • A bathing suit decency rule that disqualified an Alaska high school swimmer from a race has been eliminated.

    KTVA reports the board of directors of the Alaska School Activities Association voted to remove penalties for swim uniforms that officials deemed “not of decent appearance.”

    In September, a 17-year-old swimmer from Dimond High School in Anchorage was disqualified after winning her race because an event judge ruled that her school-issued swimsuit did not meet modesty requirements.

    The swimmer’s win was ultimately reinstated.

    Read The New York Times

  • With summer rolling around, all you want to do is chill by a gorgeous pool with a cocktail in hand. The only challenge is figuring out where the best pools are located around the world. Needless to say, global high-end hotels are viciously competing to come up with new and interesting swimming pools to attract guests and tourists; so there is plenty for you to choose from. Here is a list of the top 10 spectacular pools that you wouldn’t want to miss when you drop by with your significant other.

     1. The Tank

    Boasting one of the most special swimming pools in the world, the Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas provides you with an experience like no other. Famously named as The Tank, there is a three-story high water slide installed that brings guests through a giant shark tank, giving you the chance to come up close and personal with them while gliding through the water slide. The shark tank houses about 300 marine wildlife, including intimidating sharks and graceful stingrays. Visitors who do not enjoy slides can opt to swim at the lowest level surrounded by the shark tank, providing you with the same eye-opening shark experience.

    2. Perivolas Hotel Infinity Pool

    Situated in Santorini, Greece, the Perivolas Hotel offers a stunning infinity pool overlooking a picturesque view of the beauteous Aegean Sea. The architecture that surrounds the pool is in shades of white, giving you a modern and chic vibe that Santorini is known for. What’s more, the infinity pool gives you the illusion of extending into the turquoise waters of the sea, providing a calming and tranquil spot for guests to collect their thoughts and enjoy a leisure swim.

    3. Six Senses Yao Noi Pool

    Located in Thailand, the Six Senses boutique resort offers the utmost private experience as each affluent villa or suite is equipped with its own infinity pool. Some of it even comes with private decks that offer calming spa treatments for guests. The infinity pool overlooks the gorgeous waves of Phang Nga Bay, and the pristine white beaches at the foot of the hotel. This is truly an experience that you won’t want to miss!

    https://youtu.be/MuKUhqNiITo

    4. Gellert Baths

    Budapest, also known as the City of Spas, is known for its Gellert Baths that can be found in the breathtaking Gellert Hotel. It features 10 pools of varying sizes and temperatures and is characterized by its Art Nouveau setting. Boasting its remarkable decor, it has mosaic-designed tiles for their floors and walls; allowing sunshine to shine through the stained glass windows. One of the most photo-worthy places in Hungary, the Gelert Baths host millions of visitors all year round.

    5. Joule Hotel Pool

    The elegant Joule Hotel is situated in Dallas, Texas. It offers an extraordinary infinity pool that guests can thoroughly enjoy. Situated on the 10th floor, this infinity pool extends over the border of the building, with the front wall constructed with Plexiglass. The unique design of the pool allows swimmers to feel like they are being suspended in mid-air, as they take in the wondrous views of Dallas. The poolside also offers light snacks and drinks, allowing guests to relax and chill.

    6. Ubud Hanging Gardens Pools

    The Ubud Hanging Gardens Luxury Hotel and Spa are found in Bali and feature an extremely out worldly experience for its guests. The Hotel is equipped with a stunning split-level pool that appears to suspend in the wilderness. Providing amazing views of the Pura Penataran Dalem Segara Temple and the luscious foliage of the jungle, this pool ranks as one of the top swimming pools in the world. Furthermore, each villa has its own private infinity pool installed. With a unique experience that allows you to connect with mother nature, many guests flock here all year round.

    7. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Pool

    Four Seasons Safari Lodge in Tanzania gives visitors the opportunity to experience what an African safari is like without having to deal with the fatigue and perspiration. This luxury hotel is situated in Serengeti and provides a free-form swimming pool with views of the watering hole and Serengeti plains. It enables guests to admire the wildlife there, like elephants and zebras; providing them with a one of a kind experience altogether.

     

    8. Tropical Islands Resort

    The Tropical Islands Resort, in Krausnick, Germany, ranks as the biggest indoor water park in the world. This unique indoor water park has a rainforest, a sandy beach, palm trees, swimming pools, and even a man-made sun! The biggest pool is about 4,400 square meters called the “Tropical Sea”, which is made to resemble the waters that you will see on a coral island. This indoor water park will make your visit an unforgettable one, allowing you to frolic in the coral waters while basking in the sun.

    9. San Alfonso del Mar

    A spectacular pool that is currently acknowledged by the Guinness Records for being the biggest crystalline pool globally, it can be found at the San Alfonso del Mar Resort at Algarrobo, Chile. Its size exceeds 900 meters in length and is located on an actual beach just a stone’s throw away from the resort. It boasts of its pristine turquoise waters resembling the sea, as the hotel uses a special technology in order to achieve such uncanniness. Its large area allows for some water fun such as scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking; allowing guests to enjoy swimming in a safer and cleaner environment, compared to the natural seawaters.

    10. Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool

    Located on the little red dot on the map, Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands Infinity pool sits on the 57th floor of the hotel at the border of Marina Bay Sand’s Sky Park. Spanning over 500 feet, it offers a view of Singapore’s Central Business District that is out of this world. Ranking as the biggest pool at such a high point in the world, its pool gives the surreal experience of being literally at the end of the building. What’s more, this hotel boasts of its popularity among Singaporeans as well as travelers from all over the world.

    Not sure where to go for your next vacation? Hopefully one of these spectacular and unique swimming pools has managed to catch your eye. These are especially perfect for a couple’s getaway, and if you are dating an Aries man, these exciting pools will definitely not bore him! Read more on how to tell if an Aries man loves you here https://www.heraspiration.com/signs-an-aries-man-is-in-love-with-you/.

    Guest post by Zoey White

    Photo by keepitsurreal

  • A short film I’ve made to celebrate my passion for swimming and the friendships that have come about through it.

  • Since recovery is such an important part of your overall fitness routine, HRV is one of the most helpful metrics for telling you if your body is recovered (i.e. not in a stress or sympathetic state) so you can train again.

    For example, maybe you’ve been working out a lot and not sleeping much — but you always stick to your 6 a.m. workout no matter what. You can technically feel fine, but you risk overtraining if you’re pushing yourself too hard (especially without enough sleep). While using a sleep tracker is definitely helpful for measuring how well you slept, HRV is another way to see how well you actually recovered from previous training or even just from a stressful situation or night out partying.

    In order to measure HRV you need some type of heart-rate monitor that can accurately measure patterns in your heart rate. Some of the most popular devices that incorporate HRV tracking are the Whoop and the Apple Watch.

    Since HRV is kind of complicated to measure accurately, it’s helpful if you use a device that also tracks your sleep, resting heart rate and max heart rate so that you get a bigger picture look at your health.

    For example, Whoop tracks your HRV, heart rate, exercise and sleep and uses an algorithm to offer suggestions for recovery or training. If your HRV is good (higher numbers are better) then you’re in the optimal state to exercise or adapt to any type of stress.

    Read CNET

  • In an expansion of a national multi-year campaign to reduce drownings and increase access to water safety skills, the Milwaukee Recreation Aquatics program through Milwaukee Public Schools has joined the American Red Cross Aquatics Centennial Campaign. The program promotes water safety in communities where there are high numbers of drownings or drowning rates higher than the national average. The campaign does this by providing access to affordable life-saving swim lessons and water safety training in and near their communities.

    See FOX6

    https://youtu.be/-MGELei_nWQ

  • Translation problems in the doping case of Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang have delayed the expected verdict to January, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Tuesday.

    CAS said an “agreed-upon written transcript” from the hearing, including Sun’s testimony, which is being translated from Chinese into English, is being prepared to help the judging panel who heard the appeal in open court last month.

    “In view of these circumstances, the [verdict] is not expected to be issued before mid-January,” the court said.

    Sun is facing a ban from next year’s Tokyo Olympics if the three-judge panel decides he broke anti-doping rules by refusing to cooperate with officials who visited his home in China in September 2018. He disputed their credentials to take his blood and urine samples.

    Read ESPN

     

  • Description: Discover the greatest swimming lesson this sport can offer to you. A former competitive swimmer writes about how you can improve your life by practicing a sport and getting disciplined. It’s all here, get started now.

    Photo by Guduru Ajay bhargav from Pexels

    Swimming is not just a recreational activity. It is one that comes with life’s lessons. It is not just about medals, records, and life experiences. It is what you make out of the sport as a whole. Swimming is an avenue for the provision of the most basic and important things which are quintessential to you the remaining years of your life.

    Here’s What Swimming Lesson You Can Take From This Sport

    You will be surprised to find out that, in your personal relationships, career, and the likes, swimming will imbibe in you the significance of diligence, humility, and the essentiality of being a team player. People ask such questions like “how fast can a human swim?”, “how not to lose a game?” and the likes. Let’s see what swimming can teach you.

    Work Hard

    The first swimming lesson is to work hard. In life, there is nothing that comes easy. You have to work hard for anything you want. To amateurs who have no idea about how swimming works, they think it is easy. However, we make bold to inform you that there is nothing in life that happens devoid of effort.

    The accomplishment of the good stuff will involve giving what might look like a piece of cake. When you work hard, and you are talented, you will surely achieve success, and this is one lesson which swimming gives you. Hence, for you to go far in life, you need to ensure you work hard to boost your confidence.

    Swimming is not an easy sport, and it requires you to work hard. People who win laurels in swimming invest lots of effort into ensuring that they win. This swimming lesson comes after countless hours practicing to make sure they perfect their skills and moves. When there is a competition coming up, it is difficult for a swimmer to rest. They put all in place to ensure they leave no stone unturned.

    Losing Is As Important As Winning

    Photo by Emily Rose from Pexels

    Winning is important, and losing is essential as well: this is an incredible swimming lesson. However, not everyone realizes this. For someone who does not understand the principle of winning and losing, they feel everything has ended when they lose. However, what you need to know is, losing is the ideal strategy you need to win. By the way, you can also apply this lesson, relationships, your career, and pretty much everything else on this website.

    When you lose, it is the best time for you to reflect on your past schemes and put better measures in place for you to win.

    In your swimming career, there are times you will win. You will definitely not like it, but you need to learn how to cope with moments when you lose. In addition to this, there are times in your career when you would win, and you must learn not to relax in moments like this. You would have to ensure you do not slack on your progress.

    Having gone through this piece, you would realize that there are lots of benefits that come with swimming that are quintessential to life. You will realize that patience is one attribute that comes with swimming. For you to make big improvements, you need to exercise patience. This is not an attribute which many people have, but you must be patient so that you can achieve your goal in the long run. This was the last swimming lesson!

    Cope With Setbacks and Failure

    One life lesson you should know is that there will be ups and downs, and you need to be aware that life itself is not fair. Moreso, you should be aware that things would not always go the way you want it. There would be periods when you would invest lots of inputs, and it would not produce the required results.

    There would also be times when you would feel frustrated and feel like giving up. The swimming lesson is that periods such as these, are times to sit back and reflect on the next possible moves to make. Taking a swimming lesson teaches you to be tough mentally. It also shows you to overcome and be humble as well.

    People who are at the apex in the swimming world are people who have experienced setbacks and failures, and they refused to let it weigh them down.

    Life Is A Process

    Here’s another swimming lesson. Not everyone has an idea of how life works. For someone to be successful in life, the person needs to follow through the process which life brings. This lesson is what swimming comes with also. Before you become a renowned swimmer, you need to go through the process of practicing; moving on from the amateur stage to the professional stage.

    It could take years to achieve this, but if you are consistent, you will become successful in no time. Another lesson about life which swimming teaches is, desiring something is not the same thing as accomplishing it.

    For you to be successful, you need to go beyond the dream or fantasy stage. It is time for you to stop telling people about your dreams, and it is time for you to start acting on them.

    Swimming proves to you that, when you have become acquainted with the process, you will become used to the goal.

    Discipline

    Photo by Emily Rose from Pexels

    The greatest swimming lesson of all? As you progress in life, one lesson you need to learn is discipline. In the process of advancing in your swimming career, one lesson you will learn is learning to be reliant on your self-strategies for you to stick to your training. As a swimmer, there would be times when you are tired out and feel like giving up.

    There are times when you would have to give up the comfort of your bed so that you can practice. This is a level of commitment and the persistence which you need to attain before success sets in. If you want to know how to build self-discipline, you need to conquer your comfort zone. When you do this, you can be sure you have attained a level of discipline, which is a necessary ingredient for you to achieve much in life.

    Conclusion

    Success does not come easy in swimming, and the same applies to life, too. In life, there are unexpected expectations that might not complement what you want to achieve in life. You need to watch out for such occurrences and make sure they do not catch you unaware.

    Even though you do not swim, it is essential to know that swimming as a sport and life itself have the same lesson application.

    What do you think of all these? What’s the best swimming lesson for you? Write a comment below!

    Author’s Bio: Rae-Rae is a former competitive swimmer who is currently involved in a fintech startup. She owes her business eagerness and drives to the long years she spent swimming and works with GoFameUs. Her main passions are writing and running.  Â