Mental Health Awareness Week: celebrating the power of swimming

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are celebrating the positive impact of open water swimming and spending time in our blue spaces can have on mental wellbeing.

This morning, parliamentarians experienced those benefits first‑hand by taking to the water at Hampstead Ponds, highlighting how time in open water can support both physical and mental health.

MPs, Lords and the Minister for Sport, Stephanie Peacock joined Swim England at Hampstead Ponds to celebrate the positive role swimming can play in supporting mental wellbeing.

The session highlighted how swimming can support mood, heart health, fitness, stress levels and sleep.  Research suggests that swimming outdoors can enhance these benefits further, generating more than double the happiness compared to swimming indoors. It helps combine the benefits of movement with time in nature helping people feel calmer, more connected and present.

Outdoor swimming has also seen a surge in popularity, with participation more than doubling in recent years. From rivers and lakes to the sea and outdoor pools, more people are finding ways to enjoy the water safely and responsibly.

At Swim England, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy positive experiences in water. Swimming outside can be a powerful way to support mental wellbeing, whether you are looking for quiet time in nature, a sense of achievement or the social connection that comes from swimming with others.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage people to explore the benefits of swimming outside in a way that feels right for them, always putting safety first. For those new to outdoor swimming, starting with supervised venues, swimming with others and following local safety guidance can help build confidence and enjoyment.

Mental wellbeing looks different for everyone, but for many, the simple act of getting into open water can offer a moment of calm, clarity and connection.