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New swimming pools open in Singapore all the time. And there are plenty of beaches and lakes where you can enjoy time on the water. And in the sticky heat of a Singapore summer, there's nothing better than cooling off in the water.
But many people have a fear of swimming. This can stop them from enjoying time with friends and family, or leave them lacking confidence. Many people want to overcome this fear, but they may not know where to start. They might feel that they can't access the help they need after a certain age.
Want to overcome your fear of the water and turn swimming from a fear into an enjoyable activity? Keep reading for some key tips on enjoying the benefits of swimming!
Improve Your Skills
One of the main causes of aquaphobia is a simple lack of ability. If you can't swim at all, it makes perfect sense to be frightened of the water. After all, it would be unsafe for you to swim in deep water if you lack ability.
By building your skills and becoming a strong swimmer, you'll be able to vanquish that fear. After all, you'll know that if anything happens, you have the skills to get to safety.
The more time you spend in the water, the less fear you will feel. One day, you might find yourself getting into a pool without even thinking about it.
Don't think that you can't get swimming classes just because you're not a child anymore. Adult swimming classes are common, just like swimming lessons for kids, and they can help you face your fear of the water. At our adult swimming classes, you might encounter anyone from young professionals to retired people, so your age will never make you stand out.
Try Breathing Techniques for Swimming
Some people feel a profound sense of fear when entering the water. They may become extremely anxious with their emotions getting out of control.
Using breathing techniques for swimming can help you to control your anxiety in the water. Breathing in gently and rhythmically can help your body to relax and stop your mind from racing. The mental impact of breathing using this technique is truly remarkable.
You can practice drawing in deeper breaths and keeping a steadier method of breathing. First, practice outside the water. Then, slowly build up to keeping this steady, rhythmic breathing while entering the water.
Make Positive Visualizations
If you're afraid of water, you might visualize a lot of negative things when you face your fears. You might imagine feeling uncomfortable, or worry about a medical emergency in the water.
Thinking positively is simple, but it can make a huge difference to your outlook in the water. When you focus on strong, positive imagery, your anxiety will soon recede. Picture yourself gliding clearly through the water, or imagine you are swimming alongside a beloved friend.
Find the Root Cause
Knowledge is power and that's definitely the case when it comes to aquaphobia. The more you know about your phobia, the better you'll be able to deal with the issue. That's why you should work to uncover the causes of aquaphobia.
Perhaps you or a loved one faced peril in the water. Perhaps you suffered a traumatic experience at a swimming class as a child. Or the cause could be buried further in your past.
Search your memories to try to think about your first experience of water. Can you remember early swimming lessons for kids or trips to the beach with your family?
You can talk with family members to ask whether you were afraid of water as a young child. Your parents or older siblings and cousins may be able to help you get to the bottom of the issue.
Get Counselling
Once you've established the root cause of your fears, you may need counseling to help deal with the issue. This is normally required if basic techniques or getting help from a qualified coach aren't enough.
A professional counselor could help you to master some of the techniques we discussed, like breathing methods and positive visualization. Or they could work with you to help you solve underlying problems that are causing your aquaphobia.
Even if you were unable to discover the root cause of your fear, a professional counselor may be able to help you to work this out. You can visit a counselor in person or you could even use an online counseling service if you prefer.
Face Your Fears
Facing your fears isn't about jumping into a traumatic situation. Instead, it's about easing yourself out of your comfort zone with the right support and tools to address the issue.
It's a good idea to take things slow. Try getting used to the water by swimming in the shallow end with a trusted friend, relative or coach to help you out. Building your experience of different swimming styles can help you too.
When you sign up for one of our classes, you'll have the opportunity to tell us all about your fears. We'll do our best to support you and make you feel at ease as we teach you different swimming styles.
Overcome Your Fear of Swimming With a Class
The best way to overcome your fear of swimming is by taking a class and improving your skills. When you become a stronger swimmer, you'll have no need to fear the water. Our instructors are experienced when it comes to helping people overcome their fears and they'll give you the attention you need.
We offer group courses at Senja Cashew Swimming Complex to help you get over your fear of swimming enjoy all the benefits of swimming. Contact us today with any questions you might have. We'll do our best to get you swimming confidently in no time!
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