Each year, the same hints signify the arrival of winter’s end. The last remnants of snowmelt as the days lengthen minute by minute. The mercury rises and the sun shines brighter.
Spring’s onset makes more and more folks plan their summer excursions. And what says summer weather more than swimming? There are plenty of health benefits of swimming besides being a fun water activity. This is especially true for kids!
Life Safety Skills
Even the best parents lose sight of their children around the water. Your child can drown in just those few moments that you look away to tend to another child or think about preparing lunch.
Teaching your child to swim can potentially save their life. Younger children, especially those aged 1-4, are more susceptible to drowning. Starting swimming lessons at a young age reduces that risk. Parents can take those classes too so that they learn water safety techniques.
Swimming as a Workout
Not all workouts involve lifting weights or working up a sweat on a cardio machine. Swimming is an excellent workout that provides plenty of health benefits. So, what does swimming do to your body? Plenty!
- You need to move your entire body to swim against water. Water provides resistance in this case as opposed to weights in a gym workout.
- Reduces stress impact on the body. Your joints don't endure the impact that results from running.
- You improve your cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels by keeping your heart rate up.
- Swimming helps you build muscle and improve your strength.
- You maintain a healthy weight while keeping your heart and lungs healthy.
- Swimming provides a full-body workout since it incorporates so many muscles.
Swimming and Socialization Skills
Learning social skills is critical to children. They learn listening skills, recognize social cues, and understand different perspectives by socializing with other kids.
Swimming is a way kids engage with their peers outside of school’s structured environment. Your child probably has a core group of friends. Maybe they only see them at school. Perhaps they have a handful of friends who live in the same neighborhood? Regardless, regular swimming is another way kids can develop friendships.
