“To swim, or not to swim?” That’s the question many parents face as they approach the winter months, when fevers and runny noses reign. We know your idea of winter after-school or weekend activities probably revolves around a warm fire, but have you considered the benefits of continuing lessons in our 90-degree pool at Goldfish?
We know what you’re thinking: I’ve heard a lot of bad things about mixing the cold and swimming. But we’re here to tell you otherwise! If you’re not sure about keeping Goldfish lessons on your winter calendar, we’ve got three reasons that might help you make a decision.
1. Swim lessons help fight the winter blues.
Let’s face it: the winter can be a total drag. Below-freezing temperatures don’t exactly make for a fun recess or playtime, and your child is probably spending more time on the couch. If you’ve noticed a change in your child’s mood, it might be attributed to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
While this condition has been commonly know to affect adults, the National Institute of Mental Health revealed that up to 5.5% of 9-19-year-old children may have seasonal affective disorder. So what’s the best way to combat these seasonal blues in kids? Exercise, of course! swim lessons can increase the amount of serotonin in your child’s brain and help to improve mood. Now that’s something to smile about!
2. Fun with friends doesn’t stop in the pool!
As we discussed above, children spend a lot more time indoors during the winter. Consequently, they’re not getting the same amount of face time with their friends as they do in the warmer months. This can be to your child’s detriment, because socialization is key to development.
Group lessons at Goldfish help kids to learn and interact with their peers, while having a whole lot of fun in the process.
3. Swim lessons can actually improve your child’s ability to fight infection.
This one may come as a surprise: your child will not catch a cold from being cold and wet after swim lessons, because colds are actually caused by viruses. While that wet hair might feel a little chilly on the walk to the car, it’s nothing to worry about!
What you should be worried about is the cold winter air. That very air can dry out the mucus lining of your child’s nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to get in and make your child sick. Our Goldfish facilities are filled with plenty of warm, humid air—not unlike the air your humidifiers produce at home! Even better? The exercise your child gets from swimming may boost the performance of their immune system, making it more prepared to ward off those bacterial and viral infections.
So grab a warm coat and head on over to Goldfish for a tropical escape this winter. Think of all the practice your child will get in before heading to beach next summer!
