How Swimming Helped Me Manage My ADHD: 3 Key Focal Points
I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when I was in second grade. ADHD is usually characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, and is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. In my case, I was a rambunctious child who was either running around bouncing off of the walls, or quietly daydreaming while the teacher addressed the class.
I struggled academically in my early elementary years, as I was unable to stay focused and was constantly in my own world. Instead of flying under the radar and falling even farther behind, as can happen with ADHD children, I was able to get help. I was finally diagnosed with ADHD and given medication and accommodations. Everything changed.
While the medication helped me gain better focus in the classroom, and improve my academic performance to an extent, it was actually swimming that has played the biggest role in helping me manage my ADHD while growing up. Here are some of the ways swimming has allowed me to maintain control.
Structure
A huge part of what swimming offers me is structure. From the moment I joined club swimming as a child, I was given a daily routine that created consistency throughout most of the year. Daily, or even twice daily, practices at the same time provided stability. I was forced to structure my days around school and or practice. In order to spend time with friends outside of the pool and school, I needed to prioritize. Homework had to get done.
People with ADHD often struggle with time management. I will admit, this is something I still struggle with. However, swimming forces me to be smart about what I do with the little down time I have. The structure that swimming provided for me was crucial growing up, and is still just as important for me in college.
Focus
Swimming was the perfect sport to help me improve my ability to focus. There are no periods of down time in swimming, unlike in sports like softball or football. Swimming requires constant focus and attention, and provides little room for distraction. On top of that, it is a relatively simple sport with goals and objectives. Swimming has one goal: get your hand on the wall as fast as you possibly can. The rules are clear cut and easy to follow. For me, this made swimming much more favorable than fast-paced sports like soccer and basketball.
At swim practice, I had to constantly stay focused on what I was doing. Sitting on the wall spacing out was not an option. There was an interval to make. I also had a straightforward goal every practice: to execute to the best of my ability, and get better. Swimming helped me regain a sense of control in my life. I could truly focus on a task without distraction. Every day at the pool, I proved to myself that I was capable of staying focused for longer periods of time.
Energy
In addition to helping me improve my attention span, swimming has done wonders to help me manage my hyperactivity. It provides me with an outlet to release my excess energy. This release of energy through swimming and other means of exercising is an essential outlet to keep me sane. Sleep comes easier and, in return, I am able to perform. I learned just how important this is for me when I had my hip and shoulder surgeries. In both cases, I was unable to do any kind of physical activity, let alone vigorous exercise like swimming, for almost two months. As a result of this setback, I was not able to manage my ADHD. I experienced serious depression and anxiety as I struggled to find my way without an energy outlet. Not having that release of energy that swimming gave me hurt my mental health. For me, swimming provides the balance that keeps me in physical, mental, and emotional harmony.
Swimming has been a blessing in my life. While I still struggle with managing my ADHD today, swimming has given me the tools to move forward, and compete in this playing field called life.