Fans of classical literature will know the poets loved to swim. Byron, Keats and Coleridge all viewed swimming as a chance to commune with nature and nourish their creativity. In fact, they felt so euphoric after a dip, their state was given a name – hydromania. And anyone who counts swimming as part of their weekly routine will tell you the advantages go far beyond fitness.
Fans of swimming report a bounty of mental health benefits, including stress relief, improved mood and self-esteem, better sleep, increased brain function and more. Once you know how to swim, laps become meditative and you can put pressure on yourself without feeling your joints complain. It’s also excellent for your body, says aquatics programme supervisor Mimi Craig. “The resistance water provides is great for building strength. It’s a whole body workout, which increases your heart rate while reducing stress on the body.” Unfortunately, the number of drownings in New Zealand has been described as a “national disaster” by Water Safety NZ chief executive Daniel Gerrard. There are plenty of reasons why people don’t know how to stay safe in the water or know how to swim. Lack of access to a pool or migrating from a country where swimming isn’t a pastime are just some of the contributing factors. But it’s never too late to learn.
Here’s how to safely use the water to optimise your body, mind and sense of well-being.
Try deep water running
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 18, 2023 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 18, 2023 من New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame