In The Swim

There are well-known physical and mental benefits from swimming as well as potential hazards.

- Ruth Nichol

Twice a week, Karen Henning-Hansen heads to her local pool to spend 30 minutes lane swimming and aquajogging. The Wellington woman has been taking the plunge regularly for 25 years – she’s so committed she was back in the pool as soon as possible after surgery for breast cancer several years ago. She says it helped prevent the oedema, or swelling, that can be associated with having lymph nodes removed.

For her, swimming provides a good work-out (as long as she resists the temptation to do “aquachatting” rather than aquajogging). It’s also relaxing and mood lifting. “I don’t always feel like going swimming, but never in my life have I regretted doing it – I always come out feeling better.”

Henning-Hansen enjoys it so much she describes getting into the pool as a bit like being caressed: “The water feels like velvet on my skin.”

The physical and mental-health benefits of swimming are well documented. A study of more than 80,000 British adults, published by Swim England in 2017, found that the activity can boost life expectancy and help reduce stress. The study also found that swimming is good for strength and balance.