Part Three In a Series
Overcoming Swimming Anxiety: My Journey to Confidence
Before I talk about my first swim lesson with Teresa, I want to take a moment to reveal some personal information about myself that I feel is relevant. I navigate life with high functioning social anxiety, for those who don’t know what that is, I basically make up conspiracy theories in my mind. Stories that, in reality, never unfold. So let’s take that and add my constant over thinking, depression and ADD you might say I’m tailor made for a high pressure event. (Cue awkward laughter)
Now, I mention this because one of my biggest challenges is overcoming swimming anxiety. Thinking about diving into open waters amps up my fears. The unknown depths and unpredictable waters make it hard for me to breathe, instantly triggering panic!
So now that we know my way of thinking, let’s dive (pun intended) into my first pool swim session!
Building Confidence in the Water
The weeks leading up to it had me crippled with nervous anticipation, my mind conjuring up pitfalls of potential failures that could unfold in the pool. Yet, much to my relief, it went swimmingly.
Teresa’s approach really put me at ease. Before we got in the water, she outlined the hour’s plan and the specific techniques we would be working on. It’s important to note that my swimming proficiency, while existing, is far from being technical; I basically stick to avoiding drowning and typically try to stay out of the water rather than in it. Teresa, understanding my comfort level, never pressured me to move forward until I felt ready.
Techniques for Overcoming Swimming Anxiety
First we worked out of the water to ensure I felt comfortable before going in. Once in the pool, we started with arm techniques and floating. As we progressed, we immediately hit the first issue—putting my face in the water.
A fear that stems back to swim lessons as a kid, the discomfort of a wet face, along with a strange sense of claustrophobia when holding my breath, is clearly an issue. Teresa then adjusted her approach, incorporating strategies to help me with overcoming swimming anxiety.
A simple but effective tip she gave me, one I’ll share with you guys, is to hum a song while submerged under water to regulate breathing. With my kids’ favorite, “Sweet Creature” by Harry Styles, on repeat in our house, I instinctively began humming as I went back under. It took a few tries, but eventually, it really worked.
Teresa also used touch points to reassure me, helping ground me through the initial anxiety attacks. Throughout the rest of the session, she remained close, offering support whenever needed. By the lesson’s end, I felt significantly more confident, completing 4X25 at my own pace while maintaining the techniques she taught.
The training wasn’t all serious, we shared laughs and memories, discussing my training goals and devising strategies for the work ahead. For beginners like me, this personalized approach worked amazing and really is an invaluable resource to my training. Opting for private lessons allowed me to progress at my own pace, free from the pressure of catching up to others.
Gaining Confidence in the Water
Post-workout, we recapped my progress in the hot tub, making the entire experience not just about learning but also about enjoying the journey. While I know I still have work to do, I’m proud of the steps I’ve taken toward overcoming swimming anxiety.
For anyone else struggling with fear in the water, I want to say this: It’s okay to start slow. It’s okay to be scared. But with patience, practice, and the right support, you can gain confidence in the water. I’m proof of that!
