Should You Go Swimming With A Cold?

Check out this Simply Swim video 'Why Swimming With A Cold Is a Bad Idea'

We’ve all been there – a bit of a sniffle, a tickly throat, or that heavy-headed feeling that tells us we’re coming down with something. But if you’re an avid swimmer, you might be tempted to push through, get to the pool, and carry on with your regular routine. After all, what harm could a bit of swimming do when you’ve got a cold?

Well, as it turns out, swimming with a cold isn’t the best idea. In fact, it can make you feel worse and could also affect others around you. Here’s why it’s better to give the pool a miss when you’re feeling under the weather.

1. Your Body Needs Rest

When you have a cold, your body is already working hard to fight off the virus. Even mild symptoms like a runny nose or a cough indicate that your immune system is in overdrive. Swimming is a physical activity that requires energy, and even if it doesn’t feel particularly strenuous, it still adds extra strain on your body. Instead of helping your recovery, swimming could slow it down because your body is having to balance the physical exertion with fighting off the cold.

Rest is the most important thing when you're unwell. Giving your body time to recover means you’ll likely feel better quicker, whereas pushing yourself can lead to more fatigue, and potentially make your cold last longer.

2. You Might Make Your Symptoms Worse

Colds come with a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including congestion, coughing, and headaches. Getting into a cool pool might feel refreshing at first, but it’s not always good for your symptoms. Breathing in cold or damp air can aggravate your congestion and make it harder for you to breathe freely, especially if you’re already blocked up.

Swimming can also put pressure on your lungs, which can make any chest congestion worse. If you’re already coughing, the physical exertion of swimming might lead to more frequent coughing fits or even make your throat feel sore. And if you’ve got a headache, the motion of swimming, combined with the noise and lights of a pool, might make it feel more intense.

3. You Risk Spreading Germs to Others

No one likes being ill, and chances are, the other people at your local pool don’t want to catch your cold either! Swimming in public places means you’re in close contact with others, and colds are highly contagious. Even if you don’t feel too bad, you could still pass on the virus to someone else who might not be as fortunate.

Cold viruses spread through droplets in the air and through contact with contaminated surfaces. Coughing or sneezing while at the pool – even if you cover your mouth – means those around you are at risk of catching your cold. The last thing you want is for someone else to get sick because you decided to swim while feeling under the weather.

4. It Could Lead to More Serious Illness

What might start as a mild cold could quickly become something more serious if you don’t give your body the rest it needs. Swimming while unwell increases the likelihood of complications, such as a sinus infection or bronchitis. If your cold starts to affect your chest, you could end up dealing with something more severe, which will take even longer to recover from.

The damp environment of a pool, while generally safe for healthy individuals, can exacerbate issues when you’re already under the weather. For example, your immune system is weakened, which could make you more susceptible to infections.

5. It’s Important to Listen to Your Body

Finally, it’s essential to listen to your body when you’re not feeling your best. If you’re tired, achy, or struggling to breathe easily due to congestion, it’s a sign that your body needs time to heal. Taking a break from your regular swimming routine isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s the smart thing to do. You’ll recover faster and be back in the pool before you know it if you give yourself the rest you need.

When you’re unwell, it’s important to put your health first. Swimming with a cold isn’t just uncomfortable – it could make you feel worse, prolong your illness, and spread germs to others. So, next time you’re feeling under the weather, swap your swim session for a bit of rest, and your body will thank you for it!

After all, the pool will still be there when you’re feeling back to your usual self!