Are you looking for a fun, healthy activity that you and your grandchild can do together? Well, look no further, recreational swimming is the activity for you! Swimming and other aquatic fitness activities are healthy, inexpensive, and enjoyed by people of all ages. It is also an opportunity for you and your grandchild to strengthen your relationship, while maintaining an active lifestyle.
Why You Should Swim
Physical activities such as walking or jogging put wear and tear on your body. Over time, strenuous physical activities may cause cartilage to diminish between joints. When this happens bones wear against one another causing pain and discomfort. Unlike high-impact exercises that pose this risk, swimming does not. Swimming is a low-impact exercise because water resistance limits the amount of impact on joints. As your body moves against the water you are building muscle strength and improving your overall mobility. As a physical activity, swimming also:
- Lowers risk of cardio-vascular disease
- Reduces chance of stroke
- Increases respiratory capacity
- Promotes high self-esteem
- Alleviates stress
Mental Health Benefits of Doing Activities with Grandchildren
Doing enjoyable activities together with your grandchild can be good for your mental health. A recent research study found that grandfathers who were actively involved in activities with their grandchild (including recreational and instructive activities) reported experiencing fewer feelings of sadness and depression and increased feelings of happiness and hopefulness about the future than grandfathers who were less involved. Swimming with your grandchild can be both a recreational and instructive avenue for helping you stay engaged in your family and in the broader community.
Why Your Grandchild Should Swim
According to USA Swimming, drowning incidents are the 3rd leading cause of death of children each year. Two ways of lowering the incidents of drowning is teaching children how to swim and the importance of water safety. There are swim programs that offer lessons, that you and your grandchild can take together that teach these skills. If you are both learning how to swim, taking swim lessons together allows you to engage in a new hobby. If you already know how to swimming, it can be a great opportunity to teach your grandchild a new skill he or she can enjoy the rest of their life. For children, swimming:
- Reduces risk for childhood obesity
- Improves gross motor skills and kinesthetic abilities
- Reduces anxiety around water
- Provides a sense of achievement
- Promotes positive social skills such as teamwork
Swimming Can Build Life-Long Bonds
Swimming is an activity that helps build and strengthen the bond between you and your grandchild. By creating this mutual interest, swimming becomes a focal point of conversation and may lead to traveling to places such as recreational centers, beaches, and swim meets. Not only can you enjoy time with your grandchild but you can pass on part of yourself to the next generation as you share your skills and interests in swimming. By getting involved in swimming together, you are creating memories that you and your grandchild will treasure for the rest of your lives.
Local Opportunities: http://metrofitnessohio.com/locations/dublin/swim-lessons/ and http://dublinohiousa.gov/recreation-services/aquatics/
