Overcome your nervousness in the pool with these simple swimming tips!
03/15/2023 | Written by Nikos Vasilellis in Swimming Lesson Tips
Nervousness in the pool is more common than you might think, and is totally normal. It can occur for people who are just learning to swim, and even for those who are competent swimmers. Unfortunately, anxiety around swimming can hold you back. It can keep you from improving your swimming skills and from enjoying your time in the water. In Australia where swimming is such a social activity, that might mean missing out on time with friends. The great news is that there are ways to overcome your nervousness in the pool. Try these simple tips the next time you get in the water!
1. Visualise your swim
The power of visualisation can be a fantastic tool in helping you to overcome nervousness.
Before you even get in the water, find a quiet and relaxing spot to lie down in. Get comfortable and close your eyes.
Imagine yourself getting into the water. Think positively and bring up an image of you getting in water that is calm, warm, and inviting. Make it a lovely sunny day, and imagine your favourite music playing in the background.
Visualise yourself wading into the water as your friends or loved ones enjoy the pool with you. Think about how you will start swimming, and how nice the water feels as you move through it.
By creating these vivid images in your head and thinking about them positively, it may be able to help you feel more positive about actually getting in the water.
2. Get comfortable in the shallows
Whether it is a pool or the beach, start by getting comfortable in the shallows. Dip your feet in, sit down in the water and let yourself get accustomed to the feeling.
Slowly move your way from the shallow part to waist deep, then chest deep. Go as slow as you need to in order to feel comfortable moving ahead.
3. Get your face wet
It is quite common for those with swimming anxiety to struggle with putting their face in the water.
Ducking your head under water can be a strange sensation if you are not used to it. Instead of ‘diving in’ and putting your face under water all at once, you can start more slowly.
Standing waist- or chest-deep in the water, use your hands to bring water to your face as if you are washing it. Do this a few times and be sure to push some water into your hair as well.
By the time your face and hair are dripping wet, it may feel easier to put your whole head under water. When you are already wet, it will be less of a shock to dip your head under.
4. Start by practicing your floating
Nervousness can sometimes come from a fear of sinking. If that is the case for you, start your swimming session by spending some time simply floating.
Lie back in the water, letting your body naturally float on the surface. This activity can help to remind you that even if you get tired or struggle with swimming, you can always float and take a moment to relax.
You can even do this in the shallow end where you know you can put your feet down. Once you are comfortable, you can float in deeper water.
5. Go with a trusted friend
Having someone you trust with you can make a world of difference to your swimming experience.
Let them know you feel nervous, and tell them what they can do for you to help you stay calm. That might simply include staying close to you in case you start to struggle, or not pushing you to do more than you are comfortable with.
They can keep you calm and make you feel safer and help you enjoy your time in the water.
6. Hold onto the side and practice your kicks
Another common challenge for nervous swimmers is the moment when you lift your feet from the ground in the pool.
To help you move past this moment, start by staying close to the side of the pool. As you edge closer to the deep end, hold onto the side. When you are ready, keep your hands on the edge but lift your feet from the bottom. Then, let your body float to the surface and practice your swimming kicks.
This action may help you to take the step of lifting your feet from the bottom without feeling unsupported. It can also help to remind you of the floating and kicking motions before you actually need them to stay afloat.
You can also use a kickboard to boost your confidence in taking your feet off the ground.
7. Hire a mobile professional instructor
A professional swimming instructor can help you to improve your skills and confidence in the water. As a result, you may be able to reduce your nervousness simply by improving your swimming.
A mobile swim instructor in particular may be even more beneficial. This is where an instructor comes to your home swimming pool to give you lessons. Or if you don’t have a pool of your own, you can find one nearby.
With a private instructor in your own pool, you will learn somewhere where you are naturally more at ease. Plus, you can let your instructor know about your nerves so they can work with you to find effective methods for your concerns.
At Nereids, one of our many specialties is in helping people overcome their fear of water. We are highly professional but also extremely patient and understanding, and we know how to slowly work through the steps to calm your nerves and increase your enjoyment in the pool.
If you would like to improve your confidence and comfort in the pool, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to our friendly team to learn more about how we can help.
