What Should You Do Right After You Swim?

Swimming is a great way to relax and unwind. When you’re done, it’s kind of like waking up from sleeping in that you’re jolted back to reality. This is fine and expected, but there are some ways you can go from a state of relaxation in the water to one that continues on dry land. Below, the experts from San Diego Pools, one of the most trusted San Diego pool companies, offer some suggestions for what you should do immediately after swimming.

Do a Proper Cooldown

This is when you’ll take some time to swim a bit more slowly and casually. What you’re doing here is helping your muscles relax and calm down. A proper cooldown, even when it involves water-based activities, has many benefits. One of the most appreciated benefits is reducing your risk of experiencing muscle soreness later on.

Close Your Eyes & Relax

If you want to smoothly go from swimming to all your land-based routines, consider just relaxing poolside or even by one of the pool’s walls for a few minutes. This is a great way to relax, and there’s evidence it may even help with motor learning for younger swimmers.

Treat Yourself to a Post-Swim Snack

It’s fine to eat a small snack before you swim to give yourself some extra energy. It’s also perfectly fine to have a little post-swim snack or treat as well. As for your options, it’s best to opt for something healthy. Possibilities include:

• Smoothies with fruit
• Yogurt
• A small bowl of cereal with fruit
• A light sandwich with fruit or veggies on the side
• Veggies with a fresh dip

The reason for choosing healthier options for your post-swim meal is to avoid undoing the benefits of regular swimming. Ideally, you want just enough of a meal to give you an extra post-swim energy boost, since swimming tends to make some people feel tired.

Take a Brief Nap

If the fatigue we just mentioned is getting to you immediately after you swim, feel free to go ahead and take a little nap. This is also a good way to give your body a chance to recover internally. A short nap further benefits you mentally by continuing the relaxation associated with swimming.

Meditate

Another way to extend the relaxing effect of swimming is to find a quiet place to meditate. There are several ways to do this, with some versions of meditation involving repeating certain words or phrases. Other variations include slow, relaxed motions and deep breathing.

Check the Pool

If you want to be practical after you get done swimming, you can always take a moment to check your pool’s water to make sure there’s no debris or clutter in the water. This is an effective way to stay ahead of pool-related maintenance and upkeep routines. After you finish this task, you can enjoy any of the other post-swim suggestions we offered above.

It’s a great idea to know what to do both before and after you swim in your pool. If you don’t have a pool yet but you’re ready to add one to your home, reach out to the experienced pros at San Diego Pools. As a premier San Diego pool builder, we’ve been constructing high-quality pools for more than forty years, and we can build a pool that’s perfect for you and your family. Give us a call today at 888-707-7786 to learn how we can build the pool of your dreams.