Just Keep Swimming: 3 Reasons to Keep Your Child Swimming this Winter
Health and Wellness, Texas Swim Academy Programs
Winter is no time for children to hide from the water, in fact it’s a great time of year for children to stay active and work on swimming techniques begun during the summer. Here are three reasons to keep your child swimming this winter.
Reason #1 – Swimming is a great way to stay active and happy during winter
The “winter blues” are very real and partially result from reduced opportunities for recreation and socialization during cold weather months. For children, this often means more time on the couch and in front of the television or computer. Swimming provides a natural and welcome outlet for all that energy, as well as an opportunity to socialize with other children and play. Swimming also releases serotonin, a natural neurotransmitter that boosts mood.
Reason #2 – Keep the ball rolling on kids’ development of skills and swimming techniques
Especially for very young or new swimmers, a long time away from the water between summers can mean taking a step backward in their development of good swimming technique. Staying active and in the water during the colder weather means they are even more prepared for swimming, and more advanced in their skills, when warm weather returns.
Reason #3 – Because it’s a great time of year to swim
To paraphrase Mark Twain, “Accounts of the dangers of swimming in colder weather have been greatly exaggerated.” There are many myths and superstitions about swimming in colder weather, most of them insisting that it leads to more colds and ear infections for children, and an increased risk of illness.
The truth is those have all been proven false by multiple studies, if not common sense as well. In fact, swimming can help keep children healthy during winter: cold, dry air can dry out the mucus lining of the nasal cavity, creating a vector for infection. Our pool is heated and the building is warm and humid, which keeps our swimmers natural defenses against infections strong.