Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by admin
In this article, we will provide advice, hacks & tips on helping to find the correct life balance for swimmers.
The time, commitment and self-sacrifice required to become a successful competitive swimmer, can at times, feel all-consuming.
- Many swimmers find balancing their academic/work and swimming commitments with their family and social life difficult.
- All they seem to do is eat, sleep, swim and study or work.
- Which for some, can develop into a monotonous slog.
- To perform at their optimum, swimmers should enjoy the challenge of training and competition and not be overly fatigued.
- For many, finding the correct life balance can help them achieve this.
Life balance tips
- For many competitive swimmers finding the correct life balance is not easy.
- It usually entails them accepting that to excel at swimming, they should be prepared to give things up.
- They should also be prepared to prioritise the things that are important in their life.
- For many, this can take a little practice and experimentation.
- However, they often find that the little extra effort required can produce great results.
- Detailed below are some practical ways to help a swimmer develop a better life balance.
Setting life goals
Most swimmers are used to setting swimming goals.
- Some swimmers also set life goals to help them prioritise the important things in their life and help them to achieve a better life balance.
- For example, spending some quality time with friends and family.
Managing time
It’s common for competitive swimmers to start coming under time pressure.
- Many swimmers (and their parents) start to panic and believe there is not enough time in the day to complete all of their sporting, academic/work, social and family commitments.
- Many swimmers produce a weekly swimming time management schedule to help them effectively balance and prioritise their often-hectic lifestyle.
Related article on swimming time management
We have produced a related article on swimming time management. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming time management.
Quality time
It’s important that once a swimmer has allocated the time to undertake a task or activity, they spend that time productively.
- When studying or relaxing, they should take precautions to avoid distractions.
- Ideally by finding a quiet place free from the potential distractions of social media, television, friends and family.
- They should also ensure that they switch off their mobile (cell) phones.
- When studying it’s usually more productive to work at a desk or table, with a comfortable chair.
Manage expectations
Some competitive swimmers put themselves under extra pressure by having unrealistic expectations.
- This can harm the swimmer’s quality and life balance.
- To correctly manage their expectation levels swimmers should regularly set and if necessary, re-set, swimming goals.
- They should also regularly monitor their progress with their coach.
Related article on the benefits of setting swimming goals
We have produced a related article on the benefits of setting swimming goals. Which you can view by clicking this link: the benefits of setting swimming goals.
Find time to relax
The ability to be able to relax can be a great way of helping a swimmer’s life balance.
- It can help swimmers reduce any self-doubts, worries or physical anxieties while increasing their concentration and performance.
- It can also aid a good night’s sleep and help a swimmer to rest and recover from the rigours of training or competition.
- This can be a great benefit to any swimmer wishing to train and compete at their optimum level.
- Effective ways to relax include, reading, listening to music, visualisation and yoga
Related article on swimming dryland relaxation techniques
We have produced a related article on swimming dryland relaxation techniques. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming dryland relaxation techniques.
Related article on swimming visualisation
We have produced a related article on swimming visualisation. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming visualisation.
Find study and training partners
- Swimming can sometimes be seen as a solitary sport.
- Some swimmers find being able to consistently perform to their optimum on their own, over some time, both hard and difficult.
- Many swimmers have a swimming training partner to help them achieve their swimming goals.
- Some swimmers also have a study partner to help them achieve their academic goals.
- Having study and training partners can help improve the swimmer’s life balance.
- They can of course be the same person.
Related article on a swimming training partner
We have produced a related article on a swimming training partner. You can view it by clicking this link: a swimming training partner.
Use gala/meet downtime effectively
Competitive swimmers can spend a lot of time on the poolside/deck side during galas/meets, waiting to partake in their events.
- Many often spend a lot of time idly chatting to teammates for hours on end.
- Although communicating with teammates in moderation can be a good thing, some of this time could be spent more productively.
- Some swimmers spend a portion of this time studying, reading, planning or listening to relevant podcasts.
- This should ideally take place where they are not distracted and where their coaches and parents know where they are.
Try activities outside of swimming
Some swimmers find undertaking an activity outside of swimming helps them to take a break away from the rigours of training and competition, helping their life balance.
- They find that it often helps them take their mind off the pressures of competitive swimming.
- This can help them feel refreshed when returning to the water.
- Ideally, the activity should be fun and not too time-consuming.
- It doesn’t matter if the swimmer is not that good at it.
- The important thing is that they enjoy it, and it helps them restore some balance to their lifestyle.
- For example, some of our swimmers play musical instruments, read and play other sports.
Closed season training
Many swimmers use the closed season to restore their life balance.
- Although a swimmer should continue training during the closed season, they should,
- Reduce their training volumes and intensity.
- Refocus on their technique.
- Take a short break, if necessary.
- But don’t spend too long out of the water.
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Use cross-training to help stay fit.
Life Balance for Swimmers: Takeaways
The time required to become a successful competitive swimmer, can at times, feel all-consuming.
- Many swimmers find balancing their academic/work and swimming commitments with their family and social life difficult.
- All they seem to do is eat, sleep, swim and study or work.
- Which can for some, develop into a monotonous slog.
- To swim at their optimum, swimmers should enjoy the challenge of training and competition and not be overly fatigued.
- For many, finding the correct life balance can help them achieve this.
- Detailed in this article are some practical ways to help a swimmer develop a better life balance.
Swimming Publications
We produce a growing range of publications on a wide range of swimming subjects.
- These include competitive swimming drill publications for backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
- Which are now available in both Amazon Kindle and paperback formats.
- For information regarding our portfolio please follow our link: Swimming publications
Swimming Resource Library
We have produced a swimming resource library.
- This contains links to all of our blog posts.
- These are subdivided by swimming category.
Categories include: Swimmer Development | Swimmers Health | Swimming Coaching | Swimming Competition | Swimming Drills | Swimming Dryland/Land Training | Swimming Equipment | Swimming Psychology | Swimming Training.
- To access any article simply click on the attached page link: swimming resource library.
The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group
The Competitive Swimming Exchange is a Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.
- It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents.
- It’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water.
For more information about joining this group please use the following link: The Competitive Swimming Exchange