To relax and recharge your work/life battery nothing beats a good swim. It clears the mind and energizes your body helping to tackle that daily “to do” list. Now that summer is here it’s even easier to get motivated. Unlike some other sports, not much is needed beyond a body of water, goggles, a swimsuit and a swim cap.
I learned to swim when I was young, but my main form of exercise throughout most of my adult life was dance by taking classes in ballet, modern dance and jazz. However, the last several years swimming has become my favorite way to unwind, stay in shape, and ponder over ideas. I took a lesson at my health club to improve my front crawl and breathing technique which helped increase my endurance. I swim all year round and like that fact that I’m not bound to a class schedule and can fit in a swim at my convenience.
A recent article in The New York Times, “Reaching for Zen With Each Stroke and Lap” by personal health columnist Jane E. Brody, explains the myriad benefits of swimming. She thought of the title for her last book while in the pool.
When I travel, I always take a swim if possible. This spring during a visit to Seattle, I was thrilled to swim in the 9-lane lap pool at the Bellevue Club during my stay. Any exercise that you enjoy doing and will incorporate into your life on a regular basis is beneficial for your mental and physical health but swimming is easy on your joints and is a great cardio workout.
Some swimmers bring a bag filled with kickboards, fins, paddles and water gloves to increase their endurance and strength training. The other day a swimmer in the next lane showed me his new contraption where he listens to his favorite tunes while under water. Personally, I prefer to swim un-aided and enjoy the silence during my laps. I occasionally follow up my swim by slipping on swim shoes for some water jogging.
So the next time you’re stuck on an idea, tense after a hard day of work or just want to burn off some extra calories, go for a swim!
{Image: Inigo Quintanilla via iStockphoto.com}