Hello everyone, this is Helen Huang @ Organizing, based in Beijing, China. In order to better learn and practice the YiXiaoNeng Time Management System, after finished publishing 100 Chinese articles, I decided to continue writing and publishing a daily English article in another 100 days based on the "YeWuBin Time Management 100 Episodes" audio program. Today is the 164th day.
Today's topic is: How to Overcome Fear Swimming in 10 Minutes
In the last few lessons, I've been talking about sports. Sports is a great example of how time management and developing good habits work together to create a completed and optimal result. Lately I've talked about running, but now I'd like to talk a little about another hobby of mine. It's a hobby that I share with many of my friends - swimming.
I believe that swimming is just as important as running. However, there is one little difference between them. Many people don't run because they don't like the exhausting that they feel afterwards. However, the fear of water explains why many people don't swim.
Today, I'd like to explain how I was able to teach my wife and son how to swim and overcome fear in only 10 minutes. The method I'm about to show you is the same one that I use to teach my students. The first step is to overcome your fear of swimming.
I use an idea that we have talked about before: just start. A bad start with good development will always beat the perfect start. The goal in the beginning of swimming is not to be perfect but to overcome your fear of the water first.
Previously, I told you that in order to improve, you must leave your comfort zone and try something new and slightly uncomfortable. It is also very important that you don't go too far and enter your fear zone.
We, humans, are interesting creatures who are unwilling to do the difficult things to improve and increase profit if it also means losing what we have currently. We try to hold onto our current situation not because it's good but because it's familiar and known to us. We need to let go of this tendency in order to improve. This means we must overcome the fear of swimming first before learning the swimming stroke.
Today we'll focus on how to overcome this fear. In order to feel safe in the water, you need to feel and become accustomed to the buoyancy of the water. That feeling that can float on top of the water without sinking.
My son's first attempt at swimming is a great example that I'd like to share with you.
At first, my child was afraid of the water. So I went down with him, standing by his side, and told him: "I'm here to protect you". Then I held his hands tightly. When he calmed down and little by little and built up his courage, I said to him: "Hold your nose, close your eyes, and go under water slowly". During that process, I continuously repeated to him: "It's okay, I'm here to protect you, trust me......". After doing this several times, he became increasingly relaxed and felt safer in the water.
Secondly, I told him that there's no need to pinch your nose, just learn to hold your breath, then get in the water. This entire process took just a few minutes. Here is what you need to know: Like running, slower is better than faster. Use compassion and calm to control your emotions and build confidence.
The third step is the key: we need to feel the buoyancy of the water by laying back on the water and letting it hold you up. So I made my son put on his goggles and suggested that he practice floating on the water while I stood beside him to ensure nothing would go wrong. Then I encouraged him to relax more and more. Generally, people can float for 30 minutes before becoming too tired to continue. The beginner may last 10 minutes.
The fourth step after floating on the water is to begin kicking your feet and moving your arms until you start moving forward.
Broadly speaking, the secret to mastering swimming is to make the beginner feel how shallow the swimming pool really is, how they are protected by you, to help them relax by feeling the buoyancy of the water, and then after making it, practicing moving through the water with thrashing movements.
It's important to note that: the adult can't show their impatience or anxiety when the child goes in the water. Once this happened, the learner will immediately develop a fear of going in the water, because they will associate that fear with your impatience or anxiety. If you have a fear of swimming, then you can find a swimmer friend to help you practice in this way and watch your fear dissolve slowly.
The swimming stroke can be mastered with practice. By learning the technique of combining breath and physical coordination, swimming will then become an easy sport to learn.
After talking to several swimming instructors, I learned that swimming is considered very valuable for children, because it helps children concentrate on their work and get to sleep easier.
If you can't swim, I encourage you to try to learn. It's really an essential skill. But most importantly, understand that learning how to build a new habit requires beginning badly and then improving. It requries trust, comfidence, even a little help from your friends. Good luck in your training.
That's all sharing today. Thank you being with me together. Have a wonderful day!