Swimming for Connection and Wellbeing

by Matthew Martin, Health and Wellbeing Officer at Swim England

In the run up to Loneliness Awareness Week, we'll be publishing a series of blogs about loneliness and connection by guest writers. In this blog, Swim England Health and Wellbeing Officer Matthew Martin explores how swimming is important for our health and wellbeing, and how it helps us connect with others.

I’m Matthew, a Health and Wellbeing Officer at Swim England. My role is all about getting more people with long-term health conditions active in water and breaking down the barriers that prevent them from accessing the many benefits of swimming. I’ve seen first-hand how swimming can transform lives, and I want to share my own experiences of swimming and how aquatic activity can help us connect with others and to improve our health and wellbeing.

Matthew Martin, Health and Wellbeing Officer at Swim England

My Personal Journey with Swimming

Swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I joined a swimming club at the age of six and swam competitively until I was eighteen. Now, years later, I’m still in the water, swimming as part of a triathlon group and training for my first Great North Swim this June. It’s a clear example of how swimming can be a lifelong pursuit. As a member of the health and wellbeing team at Swim England, I understand the benefits of swimming and aquatic activity across a range of health conditions, but this is something I experience first-hand.

I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis as a teenager, which causes extreme stiffness and pain in my hips, back, and neck and limits my movement in the affected areas. The pain and fatigue can be extreme sometimes and limit what I can do physically, particularly in the morning or trying to sleep at night. Mentally, it is also challenging as you can’t do certain activities you might want to take part in.

The only sport I could do was swimming, and I found this was a great way to relieve symptoms, as the water allows my joints to be more flexible and pain-free.

The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Swimming

Swimming is widely recognized as one of the best all-around exercises. It engages almost every muscle in the body while being gentle on the joints, making it suitable for people of all ages and abilities. A few benefits include improving heart health, building endurance, and enhances flexibility.

From my perspective, I know swimming has played a key role in keeping me active despite my condition, and research backs this up. The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming report highlights that regular swimmers have a 28% lower risk of early death and a 41% lower risk of death due to heart disease and stroke. I also find being in water to be a powerful tool for mental wellbeing. The sensation, the repetitive movements, and the ability to switch off from daily stresses all contribute to reduced anxiety and improved mood.

See the Swim England mental health factsheet for more details.

Swimming for Connection

Any form of aquatic activity is a powerful tool for bringing people together and a way to connect.  Whether in a local leisure centre, a community-run lido, or an open-water swim group, the water is a place to build confidence and create those support networks.

There are many different aquatic activities available too, regardless of fitness level, or ability, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy such as: Good Boost, quiet swims, dementia friendly sessions and aqua fit sessions to name a few. It is an amazing way to meet like-minded people and have fun in the process! Many pools offer social opportunities at the end of a session, such as tea and coffee gatherings for example.

For adults, it’s a great way to alleviate loneliness, and for individuals living with long-term conditions, connecting with others who understand their experiences can be invaluable. There’s a real sense of community within these sessions, and the relationships built in and around the pool often extend beyond just swimming.

Taking the First Step

I know that for some people, getting into the water for the first time (or after a long time away) can feel daunting. Whether it’s attending a new activity for the first time, not knowing how to swim, or concerns about body confidence, these barriers are very real.

If you’re feeling nervous, I’d encourage you to start small - perhaps with a quiet swim session, a friend by your side, or a beginner’s water-based exercise class. There is no pressure to swim lengths, you can take things at your own pace, and there are so many ways to be active in the water without swimming laps. Walking through the water or gentle floating can provide great benefits to you. If you are new to the water, try using a float or noodle for support. There are friendly, supportive instructors & groups across the country, who are willing to support you in your goals.

"Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or it’s completely new, I encourage you to go to your local facility and take a dip … I promise you won’t regret it.”

Find a Pool Near You

If you’re looking to get started, Swim England’s PoolFinder is a tool to help you locate pools near you. You can use filters to search for different pools and activities that suit your needs. For more information on how to get involved, visit Swim England’s website.