When did you swing for the last time?

I have to take you back to 2014, to introduce the idea of swinging…

I was a new mum back then, taking my little one to the park in Imperial Wharf. We met one of our friends there, playing with his child. The conversation went like that at some point.

Me: “When did you swing for the last time?”

Fred (very serious grown-up) “Why, I mean, why would I? Swings are for kids”

Me: “It relaxes me a lot so when I am taking our little one to the park, I go on a swing for a few minutes”

Fred looked at me like I said something out of another world…

Me: “I even convinced Edward (my other half) to try it for fun. Yes we are ‘big kids’! So are you going to try the swings as well at some stage?””

Fred: “You are very strange guys, you know…”

On that day, I thought the world is divided in two categories: people that kept the kid within themselves and... the others… So depending which side you are placing yourself on, the way you will read my following post might affect you in some way or nicely consolidate your positive views on swinging (on a swing!), yay!

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of using swings and swinging accessories!

1. Sensory Integration

My most important point. Some individuals do not process the world around them efficiently and so their nervous system misinterprets sensory information. When that happens we say they have sensory integration dysfunction. Swinging can have a positive effect on those individuals by stimulating their sense of motion and vestibular orientation.

2. You will burn calories!

An average of an hour of swinging will help you burn 200 calories. Try swinging at least once a day (maybe 20min?) and share with me your results in a month!? We might be all surprised with the result.

3. Strengthen your body

Aside from burning calories, swinging is a fabulous form of exercise that will strengthen your muscles, joints and bones. This activity will actually make your overall body stronger and conditioned for other daily activities.

4. It is flexible

You can control the swing. You can swing at your own pace, you can swing slow or you can swing fast and do lots of pumping with your legs.

5. No special skills required

All you have to do is to sit on a swing and … swing! As far as you hold your hands tight on the rope or the chain, you can wander and think about other things because great focus is not really necessary in this kind of activity.

6. Balance, Coordination and Motor Planning

Although “no special skills are necessary”, swinging requires a bit of coordination and motor planning to learn how to manoeuvre and pump. Using a swing takes a significant amount of balance as well. For adults, using a standard swing can be highly beneficial to their coordination.

7. Rhythm of swinging is soothing and relaxing

Swinging will bring you a smooth and soothing rhythm which will make you want to swing more. The more you jive with the rhythm of the swing the more you would want the pumping of your legs to go along with it. Thus, makes you exercise more!

8. Brings satisfaction and cheers you up!

Swinging brings a really satisfying feeling to us. As you swing, your endorphin levels are released. It is just pure pleasure and the pressure on the body and the skin receptors can stimulate skin receptors and actually elevate the mood. I also deep deep deep down believe that swinging reminds us as well of the happy memories we had in childhood. If you are like me, some of my truly fondest memories are associated with swinging in France and in Poland.

Now the funny thing about swings is how they started to invite themselves within our interiors, over the years... I could not resist and selected for you a few pictures of my favorite ones, some of which I've posted on my Instagram already too!

Next time you see a swing, go on and try it (either it is indoor or outdoor!!!)

And try to reconnect with your inner child!

Happy week peeps,

U x