Swimming and Wellbeing

The outcry triggered by the closure of gyms and leisure centres among the latest wave of Covid response measures has shown just how important physical activity is to our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

In November 2019, Swim England, the national body for swimming in England, published a report, The Value of Swimming, which reveals just some of the ways swimming supports our health and happiness.

14 million people (almost a third of the nation) swam in the year of the report – of which 7.5 million were lucky enough to swim in lidos – and 4.7 million people swam at least twice a month.

Swimming makes us happier

Swimmers report feeling 6.4% healthier than non-swimmers, which equates to feeling 12 years younger!

1.4m people feel swimming has significantly reduced their anxiety or depression. Almost half a million people reduced medical visits, and the same number reduced their reliance on medication, as a direct result of swimming.

And swimming outdoors generates more than double the happiness effect of swimming indoors.

More confident young people

Young swimmers said they felt more confident that they will achieve their goals than non-swimmers. And girls benefit most – swimming more than doubles their self-confidence.

More social connections

All Swim England’s evidence shows that swimmers are more socially connected and engaged in their community compared to non-swimmers, and are less likely to be lonely.

They are more likely to spend time with friends and family, have more close friends and meet with friends regularly. People who swim also have higher levels of trust in their neighbours, people in their local area and people in general.

Supporting the NHS

Swim England calculate that weekly swimming saves the NHS at least £357 million a year by helping people recover from or manage conditions as diverse as breast cancer, dementia, stroke, diabetes and depression.  Regular swimming can reduce the occurrence or impact of long-term conditions like diabetes and heart disease by 20-40%.

The full report and a short video with highlights are available on the Swim England website, here.