Sink or Swim? Learning to swim as an adult
How did it happen? You’ve reached and exceeded the age at which you are legally regarded as an adult. You can drink, vote, drive, get married, pay taxes and get called to war. You have a job, own a home and lead a fulfi lling life in lots of ways, but there is just one blot on the horizon – you still can’t swim!
The inability to swim is a cause of embarrassment for many adults, and some are reluctant and even ashamed to admit to it. But though you may feel that there is a stigma attached, the fi rst thing to understand is that you are not alone. There are many others just like you, and if you really want to, there is no reason in the world why you can’t master the art!
People fail to learn to swim for a number of reasons. Some may have had a traumatic experience – almost drowning for example, after falling into deep water, or being the victim of a prank that got out of hand – whilst others simply may not have had the opportunity. Regardless of the cause, most non-swimming adults are afraid of water, and need to acknowledge the psychological as well as the physical barriers.
Fear can keep us safe, but it can also prevent us from moving forward. Many non-swimmers are afraid of putting their face in the water and are scared that they won’t be able to fl oat, yet more or less everyone fl oats. What sometimes
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gets in the way is fear and tension that causes you to hold yourself stiffl y, hunch your head and shoulders, and push your feet towards the bottom of the pool.
Most non-swimmers are afraid to take their feet off the bottom and become panic- stricken if there is nothing to hold onto, but learning to trust that the water will hold you up rather than the reverse, is key to mastering the art of swimming.
Though some people may opt to enlist the help of a friend or relative to teach them to swim, the best course is probably to turn to a professional with the correct training. But there are things you can do yourself to help boost confi dence: Walk around in chest-deep water to get used to how it feels and maintain balance; Repeatedly dip your face and body in and out of the water, holding on to the side for support; Practice fl oating on your stomach with your face in the water; With the help of a fl oat, lie on your back, gradually introducing kicking movements with your legs.
However you decide to proceed, please remember there is no shame in not being able to swim!
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