Fear Of Water – Is It Possible to Overcome It?

Ifthe idea of swimming terrifies you, you should not feel bad about it,and you should know that you are far from alone. According to severalstudies that have been done over the years, over fourteen millionpeople suffer from an extreme fear of water. However, being scared ofwater does not mean that you have to stay away from water your wholelife. Not swimming means missing a fantastic activity and workout,especially if you are older, and swimming might be the safest optionfor you, especially your joints.

But do not worry, there is a way to overcome your fear and become a confident swimmer! However, you might be wondering where to begin. To help you out, we have prepared some of the most valuable tips that will make it easier to overcome the fear of swimming in a pool and learn to enjoy it!

Recontextualize Your Fears

Thisstep is much easier said than done, but it is an essential step toovercoming your fear of the water. Listen closely to your internaldialogue, acknowledge it, and then reconstruct it to your ownadvantage. For example, many people tend to be scared of swimmingbecause they believe that water is dangerous.

While swimming in the open water can be dangerous at times, try to remind yourself that swimming in the pool is completely safe for the majority of the time, as there is no wildlife there. When thinking about this activity, remind yourself that you will be performing it in a safe environment. Soon, your thinking pattern will be changed, and swimming in a pool will be much less jarring.

Focus On Making Gradual Progress

Realize that there is no rush to start swimming and become a skilled and comfortable swimmer. Keep in mind that baby steps will get you much farther, and they are the key to making forward progress. Try sitting on the edge of the pool and get your feet wet. Once you are comfortable with that, start dangling your legs in the water. The next step is standing in the shallow end, where you can easily keep your head above the surface of the water. Keep pushing yourself to move forward, but make sure that you are pushing yourself at the right pace.

Calm Yourself Using Breathing Techniques

Justlike any other irrational fear, the fear of swimming is deeply rootedin anxiety. However, it has been proven that one of the best ways todeal with anxiety and anxiety-related fears is through using calmingbreathing techniques.

Whenyou feel yourself getting tense, anxious, and scared of getting closeto the pool, try unclenching your jaw, relaxing your shoulders, andtaking a deep breath lasting for four seconds. Hold this deep breathin for about three seconds and then exhale for four seconds. Repeatthis breathing exercise for five or so minutes or until you feel youranxiety leaving you.

Kamil Market Development Expert at Swimmo

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