Low power, high-tech skills, and a top-notch mindset—everyone can enjoy relaxed, long-distance swimming.

•4 min read
Low power, high-tech skills, and a top-notch mindset—everyone can enjoy relaxed, long-distance swimming.
Swimming has a clear advantage over other popular sports: it’s virtually age-independent—people of all ages, from infants to seniors over 80, can enjoy the benefits of swimming. This is precisely why I switched from badminton and running to swimming in the first place.
When it comes to strengthening the body, swimming offers more benefits than other sports. First, it provides a balanced workout for all major muscle groups, rather than focusing on isolated muscle development. Second, it not only tones external muscles but also promotes healthy bone growth and strength. Third, swimming doesn’t just boost physical power—it gradually enhances cardiovascular endurance, lung capacity, and overall respiratory efficiency. Moreover, since sweat from swimming dissolves directly into the water, your body remains comfortably cool throughout the activity. Combined with the buoyancy of the water, which alleviates pressure on internal organs and skeletal structures caused by external weight, swimming is an ideal exercise for injury rehabilitation and recovery.
As we age, physical strength gradually declines, and by the time old age sets in, people become increasingly aware of their own limitations. Yet, at the same time, their experience and mindset grow more mature and resilient. The same holds true for swimming: it evolves from relying on sheer determination and brute force to glide through the water with refined technique, and eventually leads to a state of pure enjoyment—where you lose yourself entirely in the act, effortlessly flowing with the rhythm of the swim. In that moment, your mind naturally returns to a place of harmony, embracing a sense of unity between body and spirit—a state so profound that it inevitably makes you fall in love with swimming all over again.
Swimming has taught me a valuable lesson: tackling anything in life is much like swimming. Approach it with the right mindset—start by underestimating your strength, overestimating your technique, and maintaining peak mental focus. Don’t dwell on the frustrations of early stages; instead, avoid forcing yourself to push through sheer determination. Instead, relax, fully embrace the physical sensations each movement brings as you glide through the water, and strive to grasp the logic behind proper form. This way, you’ll develop a genuine understanding of the techniques involved. Most importantly, stay positive throughout the learning process—because even if you accidentally choke or occasionally get submerged, these moments are simply part of the essential journey. Ultimately, perseverance and resilience are the qualities that will carry you farthest of all.
Take learning freestyle as an example: When performing the catch phase, don’t rush to apply force right away. Instead, first master the fundamental catching motion, focusing on that distinct "holding the water" sensation—similar to the solid, tangible resistance your paddle encounters when rowing through water. This is precisely what we mean by "effectively catching the water."
On the premise that "pulling the water effectively," use your muscle strength to gently but firmly push the water backward, feeling as though your body glides forward like a small boat with each arm movement. At the same time, check whether you’re turning too much to the side—or perhaps not enough.
Many swimmers eagerly push off with force during the catch phase, but by the time they initiate the pull, their power has already started to decline. And if they fail to relax their arms as they transition into the recovery phase afterward, they’ll quickly run out of "momentum," making it impossible to maintain a smooth, effortless long-distance swim.
Whether you're a professional swimmer or an amateur enthusiast, swimming speed, results, and accolades don’t matter when compared to the genuine joy and heartfelt enjoyment of the experience itself—after all, it’s the process of swimming that truly holds the greatest value. Remember how *The Ming Dynasty: A Chronicle* devotes extensive chapters to chronicling the rise and fall of an entire dynasty, yet at its very end, the story shifts to Xu Xiake. The author reflects: "There is only one true success—to live life on your own terms." In life, as long as you approach every endeavor with sincerity and dedication, whether it leads to triumph or challenges, what truly counts isn’t the outcome but the deep, authentic passion you feel—and the way you honor the precious moments slipping away. After all, whether you’re swimming or simply living, it’s the journey itself that makes life meaningful.


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