Not only is winter here, but your kids will soon be out of school for winter break. It’s a lot shorter than summer break so you may not feel right complaining, but it just seems like there is so much more to do in the summer. You can’t just put on the kids’ bathing suits and let them play in the pool for hours – or can you? While your own backyard pool may not be open, there are other indoor swimming pools that remain open throughout the winter. Here are three great reasons why you should dig up the bathing suits and beach towels and take the little ones for a swim over winter break.
- Beat the Winter Blues
- Keep Swimming Skills Fresh
- Boost Immunity
It’s harder to stay upbeat and positive when it’s gray outside. Many families report that their kids spend a lot of time in front of the TV during the winter, and everyone feels ‘trapped.’ This can lead to too many lazy days, a lack of exercise and stimulation and an increase in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Get everyone out of the gloomy mood by taking a dip at a local indoor pool. This physical activity raises dopamine levels in the brain, therefore boosting the mood and energy. Plus, it’s a nice way to hold everyone over until summer when all the pools are open.
If your child has taken swimming lessons in the summer, a whole year without any practice will make them forget much of what they learned. Taking the kids swimming allows them to practice the skills they learned over the summer and get more comfortable in the water. When they’re ready for another set of lessons, they can move on to the next step rather than having to repeat a class.
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, not from being cold or wet after swimming. So, you don’t have to worry about your child having a slightly damp head of hair when they go out to the car. In fact, swimming can actually boost your child’s immunity. The dry, winter air makes the nasal passages dry, and this makes it easier for germs and bacteria to get in. Swimming at an indoor pool provides a moist, humid environment that prevents overdrying of the nasal passages, and the exercise your kids will get boosts their immune system.