#LoveSwimming story from Maria Davey

Being born with a complex heart condition meant Maria Davey had undergone three major operations by the age of five. When anxiety began to take a hold in her twenties, Maria turned to food and alcohol as a source of comfort.

But following a recommendation from her heart specialist, Maria started to swim.

Maria said: “I began swimming thanks to the advice of my heart specialist, to support my recovery from more surgery, both physically and emotionally.

“I feel so alive when I’m in the water and all of my worries seem to melt away. Afterwards, I feel ready to face the world and feel though I’ve achieved something.”

Maria has shared her story as part of the latest #LoveSwimming campaign which aims to encourage women to embrace the mental wellbeing benefits of swimming.

“I nearly drowned as a child so returning to swimming was scary,” Maria said. “However, with one-to-one support, I was enjoying it more each day.

“Swimming allows me to take time for myself and has done wonders to my health both mentally and physically.”

Reduced symptoms

Maria’s story follows new research which showed that 1.4 million adults in Britain felt that swimming had significantly reduced their symptoms of anxiety or depression.

The YouGov poll, commissioned by Swim England, also showed that almost half a million (492,000) British adults with mental health conditions who swim say they have reduced the number of visits to a medical professional regarding their mental health and more than 490,000 people have reduced, or no longer take, medication for their mental health condition as a result of swimming.

#LoveSwimming ‘Escape’

The industry-wide #LoveSwimming ‘Escape’ campaign centres on a film showing the extremes of fast-paced modern life, and the impact it can have on mental health, in contrast with the unique environment offered by swimming.

We are encouraging people across the country to #LoveSwimming with us. Use Poolfinder to find a pool near you.