Why swimming is great for brain health as well as the body, especially as we get older
This is the 65th instalment in a series on
dementia , including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers, and stories of hope.
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My mother taught me to swim in a pool that was going green with algae. My memory of the day is much clearer than the water was. She urged me to leap from the side into her arms – and I did.
She thought I ought to know how to swim, even though she herself hated it.
I – like my maternal grandmother, who swam regularly into her eighties – grew to love it. Ever since I learned how, I have sought out places in which to swim, from pools to lakes and the sea.
The writer as a child in a swimming pool with her maternal grandmother, who still swam regularly into her eighties. Photo: Anthea Rowan
People often ask why I love swimming. 'You just go up and down,' they say as I swim 50 lengths of a pool. Or, 'Isn't it cold?'
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It often is, but I keep swimming, and not just for the exhilaration that comes with exercise or just to keep physically fit. Swimming always seems to help me sort out my thoughts. My best ideas come while I swim.
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Why swimming is great for brain health as well as the body, especially as we get older
This is the 65th instalment in a series on dementia , including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers, and stories of hope. Advertisement My mother taught me to swim in a pool that was going green with algae. My memory of the day is much clearer than the water was. She urged me to leap from the side into her arms – and I did. She thought I ought to know how to swim, even though she herself hated it. I – like my maternal grandmother, who swam regularly into her eighties – grew to love it. Ever since I learned how, I have sought out places in which to swim, from pools to lakes and the sea. The writer as a child in a swimming pool with her maternal grandmother, who still swam regularly into her eighties. Photo: Anthea Rowan People often ask why I love swimming. 'You just go up and down,' they say as I swim 50 lengths of a pool. Or, 'Isn't it cold?' Advertisement It often is, but I keep swimming, and not just for the exhilaration that comes with exercise or just to keep physically fit. Swimming always seems to help me sort out my thoughts. My best ideas come while I swim.
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[6] Concerned parents should consult a paediatrician to assess any physical effects of restrictive eating on their child. The paediatrician can also determine whether there are any gastrointestinal problems or food allergies. Parents can also try to create a relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table, even if it's difficult. A new food should be tried at least 10 times so a child can get used to it, said Schmidt. But it does not help to pressure children to eat. Source: dpa, May 27 Questions 1. According to paragraph 1, Arfid is … A. a disorder that only affects young children. B. seen among both adults and children. C. more frequent in young adults who were picky eaters in childhood. D. none of the above 2. Find a word in paragraph 1 that refers to the 'physical texture or feel of food in the mouth'. 3. Based on your understanding of paragraph 2, how do individuals with Arfid feel about food? 4. What differentiates Arfid from 'picky eating' in young children, according to paragraph 2? 5. In paragraph 2, how might Arfid affect how a child takes part in social activities? 6. In paragraph 3, the inclusion of Arfid in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and ICD-11 suggests the condition is … A. under review to determine its seriousness. B. a cultural phenomenon rather than a medical one. C. a legitimate and clinically relevant disorder. D. considered rare and insignificant. 7. List three specific early traumatic experiences mentioned in paragraph 4 that could potentially trigger Arfid symptoms. (3 marks) 8. What does paragraph 4 discuss? 9. What does the phrase 'tailor the treatment to the individual involved' in paragraph 5 suggest about Arfid? Children and adults who are affected Arfid do not feel hungry, are afraid of eating or have little appetite. Photo: Shutterstock Answers 1. B 2. consistency 3. They feel eating is a burden, a stressful and unpleasant obligation. (accept all similar answers) 4. Arfid is a severe aversion to food that leads to physical and social problems, while picky eating is a passing stage many children go through. 5. A child suffering from Arfid might avoid attending social events, such as birthday parties or school trips, where food is present. 6. C 7. choking badly as a child, an allergic reaction, being intubated at an early age or an illness involving difficulty swallowing (any three) 8. the potential factors that cause Arfid (accept all similar answers) 9. The condition's direct effects and severity vary significantly from patient to patient; therefore, a generalised 'one-size-fits-all' treatment may not be effective. (accept all reasonable answers)
