Why Winter Is the Best Time for Swim Lessons
Summer and fall are officially in the rearview mirror. Does that mean your swim lessons should be too? Definitely not! Here are three big reasons to keep up your swimming lessons throughout the winter:
1. Swimming Is a Great Way to Stay Active
When the temperatures drop, it’s easy to stay inside, snuggle up on the couch, and binge your latest show. Swimming, though, is a safe, fun way to keep up your physical activity—even when the weather outside turns frightful!
For some school-age children, PE classes and team sports have been canceled or amended to comply with current safety regulations. (Read more here about PE in the age of distance learning.) That makes it all the more important to seek out activities like swimming to ensure your child gets the activity he or she needs over the winter, while still following all CDC protocols and safety regulations.
2. Swimming Helps You Beat the Winter Blues
Lack of sunlight during the winter has been clinically linked to increased bouts of depression. This condition is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Swimming and other forms of physical activity can boost your natural production of endorphins and help improve your fitness, mood, and mental state. (Read more about how exercise can ease SAD effects.)
SAD develops most frequently in one’s early twenties, but teens and older children are both at-risk age groups as well. As a parent, make sure to keep your eyes open for some of these warning signs in your children:
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- Social withdrawal
- Lack of interest in once-enjoyed activities
- Fatigue
- Feelings of anxiety and irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite
Remember, physical activity is important for everyone. Even if your child isn’t actually suffering from SAD, swimming is still a great way to shake off some of those winter doldrums!
3. Winter Swim Lessons Mean You’re Ready for Summer
Swimming lessons aren’t usually on people’s minds in the winter, but maintaining your swimming skills over the colder seasons is a great way to ensure you’re ready to hit the pool come summer.
It’s much easier to maintain a skill like swimming over time than to start again fresh after months away. If you don’t want to lose a day of fun once the sunshine returns, keep your lessons up throughout winter, and you’ll be ready to safely and confidently dominate the pool or beach in summer.
Now is the time to start planning for your summer activities. Check out what swim classes are currently available at our locations.
*Bonus Benefit* Swimming in Cold Water Is (Surprisingly!) Good for Your Health
For those who want to brave outdoor swimming in the winter, taking regular dips in cold water has some amazing—and unexpected—health benefits:
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- Boosted immune system
- Increased endorphins (“natural high”)
- Improved circulation
- Extra calorie burning
- Reduced stress
For a full breakdown of the benefits, as well as words of warning about swimming in cold water, read the source article here.
Other Winter Sports to Consider
Whatever the season, having a balanced workout routine is a great way to stay active, to keep yourself interested and engaged in your workout, and to increase your enjoyment of staying fit. Doing multiple sports or activities can activate different muscle groups, and every sport provides a unique set of benefits, including endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and more.
In addition to swimming, here are just a few sports to add to your rotation:
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- Squash
- Badminton
- Volleyball
- Futsal or indoor soccer
- Indoor or stationary cycling
- Trampolining (yes, really!)
Ready to jump into the pool? Whether you’re looking to learn to swim for the first time (check out our appropriately named Learn-To-Swim classes!) or you just want to upkeep the skills you have, grab one of our limited spots.
Have any questions, concerns, or comments? Reach out, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
