|
Learn how to swim
I can't swim-I'm 17.
Well we're going on holiday this year and theres a swimming pool there.
I really want to be able to swim, but I can't as I'm just terrified of the water. But I feel like an idiot surrounded by three year olds who can swim.
I know it's not a life skill, but how could I overcome this fear?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Fitness?
Your terrified of the water because you can't swim and you can't swim because your terrified of the water. It is a circular problem many people have to deal with. In some cases such as the previous writers friend a trauma at a young age has a lot to do with it as well.
What I suggest is you take swimming lessons from a certified life guard. This will give you the security you need to get in the water and learn to swim. If you are like most of the people who fear the water, can break that circle of fear by learning to swim, you will no longer fear the water.
Should the fear be deeper than this. Then I would suggest seeking the help of a therapist to talk out the fear and find the true cause of your fear. Swim is not only great recreation it is also a very healthy exercise. Getting over your fear of water would be an important step as many health clubs offer lap pools for swimming.
]
I have a friend who is in a similar position. In his case its actually a bit worse because he had a traumatic experience as a child where he almost drowned. We have been working on it for a couple of years now and he is almost completely over it (and he swims just fine).
It really boils down to practice in a safe environment. With my friend, the first thing I taught him was that the human body floats. It really honestly takes effort, usually resulting from panic, to drown yourself.
So, once I got him to stop splashing around, he realised that he can always just float (either by lying on his back, or upright by making small movements with his hands & feet). Even though we obviously trained in shallow water, this somehow gave him a sense of safety. Maybe it would work for you, I dont know.
Another issue we had was teaching him to exhale under water. For some reason that was an issue tied in with his fear, and it was holding him back from learning to swim properly. So we did exercises where he simply inhaled above water and exhaled under water.
Otherwise, start by learning good swimming technique in shallow water. Have someone teach you if it is at all possible. This will make you feel safer, but you will also have someone there to see what you are doing wrong. Just make sure they know what they are doing, I find that 90% of swimmers (including swimmers who train regularly) have lousy technique.
So, baby steps, but with frequent practice sessions. The more you are in the water, the more comfortable you will be. Tackle each problem in a safe way, i.e. with someone to help you in a safe environment, because the last thing you want to do is get a panic attack and set your fear back even further.
Regarding swimming styles, I think most people would have an easier time learning breast stroke. It requires a bit less of you than crawl and you get to lift your head above water when you inhale. So perhaps it would be an idea to start with that.
Good luck :)
Oh, and I forgot to mention, my friend was 35 when we started... so don't worry at all about being 17 and unable to swim :)
]
More Questions: |