Swimming is more than a sport; it’s an essential life skill that helps you stay fit, enables you to de-stress, is good for your brain function, and boosts your physical and mental health. Swimming may seem daunting for someone without prior experience, but you’ve got to start somewhere if you want to avail all of its benefits.

It’s no wonder why swimming is among the top five most popular sports activities in the US. Just a few hours of swimming per week can significantly reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Moreover, when you swim, you’re partaking in aerobic exercise, which involves your whole body from head to toe. Various strokes like the backstroke and the butterfly engage many of your muscle groups, helping them activate, strengthen, and tone up.

If you want to enjoy all these advantages, there are many ways to incorporate swimming into your daily routine. Sign up for a swim class or go all out and invest in a home swimming pool—the choice is yours. Once swimming is a regular part of your life, you can expect a better lifestyle and improved health.

If you’re new to the sport and want to have more fun, here are some activities to make your pool time more entertaining.

Improve Your Skills by Racing

Racing is a great way to increase your stamina and speed. Both adults and children can play this game and enjoy swimming simultaneously. It also encourages you to follow a schedule.

When you take up swimming, you must commit to it. You don’t have to swim every day to be consistent with it, but you need to give it at least 3–6 hours a week to improve your skills. Make a schedule for yourself and try your best to stick to it.

If you follow a routine, swimming will make you feel lighter and happier, and science explains why. Swimming pools are tranquil spaces that allow you to exercise in a beneficial medium different from what you’re used to. Exercising in the water releases important hormones in our body like serotonin and dopamine, responsible for creating feelings of pleasure and happiness.

Balance on Floats

For this game, you need to invest in proper swimming equipment. Invest in good goggles and floats you can use every time you go swimming. You may also get flippers, paddles, and buoys to give you the necessary confidence. All this equipment will ease your learning process and help you stay safe against potential hazards.

This game is easy to play; all you need to do is balance yourself on the floats without falling. Consider talking to your pool contractor and asking for interesting water features to add more challenges to the game if you’d like. This can also enhance your outer living space experience.

Challenge Yourself

Initially, you should challenge yourself to spend more time in the pool and do more complex routines under supervision. This will help you gain confidence in your abilities and enjoy your time in the water. You won’t become a proficient swimmer if you don’t challenge and push yourself enough.

Make sure to steer clear of strokes that are simply beyond your understanding. The last thing you need is to develop a swimming phobia or be at risk of drowning.

Breathing Games

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re in the water. Sometimes it also becomes difficult to remember and follow instructions. At a time like this, it helps to focus on your breathing. It won’t just calm you down but also help you achieve a certain level of steadiness. You can practice breathing while staying in the water and coming up for air with proper techniques. Breathing practice will also help you swim underwater.

Common breathing games for kids include:

• Bubble Blowing: In this game, your kid has to blow a bubble in the water. It helps them control their breathing.
• Bathtub Play: Pour two cups of water over your child’s head while they enjoy in the swimming pool. This will ensure they hold their breath and get used to water on their face.
• Wet Eyes: In this game, you need to see how long your kid can keep their eyes wet. Aim for five seconds in the beginning, and work your way up.

Moreover, the humid environment of swimming pools, especially indoor pools, helps soothe the airways of people with asthma and other respiratory problems. Staying underwater helps you exercise your breathing and be more in control of it, which ultimately expands your lung capacity. But you must check with your doctor about swimming in chlorinated water, which may aggravate asthma symptoms. If you can’t decide on your own, reach out to an experienced pool contractor to help you with it.

Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space in Sterling With a Swimming Pool

A private swimming pool can help you become an expert swimmer more easily. It also gives you the freedom to do things your way from the comfort of your home. You can set your schedule and practice at any time of the day.

Perfect Pools’ professional swimming pool designers install some of the best pools across Virginia. They’ve got you covered if you want to transform your backyard and install a private swimming pool!

Their team of expert pool contractors is always ready to sit down and listen to your needs. With their convenient financing options, you don’t need to procrastinate. Learn more about getting your very own backyard pool by contacting the company through its website or calling 571-267-7488.

Clare Louise