Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

swedishdude · 11-22-2011, 08:21 PM

Hey everyone.

I have a fear which really holds me back in life (not always, but when water is involved). I think I got the fear of being under water when I was younger, got pushed into the water by another kid, got under water and panicked.
In the next term in school, we're gonna swim on our Phys. Ed. 6 times. We're gonna take a badge of some kind that proves that we can swim properly. We're gonna do 8 or 9 different things, and some of them includes being under water. I don't want to be ashamed (like I've been the last times we've done it) and thought that this would be an awesome place to ask for help.
The things I know I'll do under water is dive from 3 metres, swim 25 metres under water and swim down (like 1 meter) and pick up a doll, there probably is more though.
How do you think is the best way for me to get rid of the fear and be able to do everything?
Thanks
/swedishdude

GregD · 11-22-2011, 11:27 PM

heya
remember the frog experiment where the frog boiled to death as they increased the temperature of water very slowly it was not able to tell the difference and stayed inside

well similarly is how you or anyone else can confront their fears. slowly become friends with water. you wash in the morning no problems i suppose? shower is ok? how about a bath head above water? ok then how about you take a breath yourself and put head below water for just 1 second in your own bath. when ok, increase seconds. when ok open your eyes under water. when ok just relax under water in your own bath. when ok go try the same in a swimming pool. etc.

small baby steps and soon your fear will go poof

Clint Cora · 11-23-2011, 03:27 PM

I think you should take extra swimming classes at your local community centre. Additional coaching and guidance from understanding instructors will benefit you greatly, much more than any self help solution.

CroMagna · 11-24-2011, 01:29 AM

Both good suggestions.

ZephyrusX · 11-24-2011, 05:00 AM

I'm afraid of going under water too. I almost drowned once, and then, I had a couple of 'freak out' moments when friends pulled me under water and held me there without realizing that I was afraid.

I think small baby steps is the key. And an environment where you feel comfortable enough to progress at your own pace. If you don't want to go underwater, you shouldn't have too, and if you feel pressured in the slightest way, the environment isn't right for you. Having said that, tell people that you are afraid and explain why otherwise they won't understand.

I personally would think about just playing around in a local or private pool. Just get comfortable going underwater on your own time. And then progress towards formalized lesson plans. That is just my own personal preference though.

Apresto · 11-28-2011, 04:08 PM

wow that's really scary, didn't know the fear of going underwater existed - I enjoy swimming but underwater is not that nice, maybe watching someone swimming underwater is a bit calming and also fun to watch like fish in an aquarium

11-22-2011, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
swedishdude Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 6	Fear of going under water Hey everyone. I have a fear which really holds me back in life (not always, but when water is involved). I think I got the fear of being under water when I was younger, got pushed into the water by another kid, got under water and panicked. In the next term in school, we're gonna swim on our Phys. Ed. 6 times. We're gonna take a badge of some kind that proves that we can swim properly. We're gonna do 8 or 9 different things, and some of them includes being under water. I don't want to be ashamed (like I've been the last times we've done it) and thought that this would be an awesome place to ask for help. The things I know I'll do under water is dive from 3 metres, swim 25 metres under water and swim down (like 1 meter) and pick up a doll, there probably is more though. How do you think is the best way for me to get rid of the fear and be able to do everything? Thanks /swedishdude

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11-22-2011, 11:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
GregD Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Belgium Posts: 111	heya remember the frog experiment where the frog boiled to death as they increased the temperature of water very slowly it was not able to tell the difference and stayed inside well similarly is how you or anyone else can confront their fears. slowly become friends with water. you wash in the morning no problems i suppose? shower is ok? how about a bath head above water? ok then how about you take a breath yourself and put head below water for just 1 second in your own bath. when ok, increase seconds. when ok open your eyes under water. when ok just relax under water in your own bath. when ok go try the same in a swimming pool. etc. small baby steps and soon your fear will go poof

11-23-2011, 03:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Clint Cora Family Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mississauga, On Canada Posts: 1,502	I think you should take extra swimming classes at your local community centre. Additional coaching and guidance from understanding instructors will benefit you greatly, much more than any self help solution.

11-24-2011, 01:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
CroMagna Family Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,975	Both good suggestions.

11-24-2011, 05:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
ZephyrusX Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,885	I'm afraid of going under water too. I almost drowned once, and then, I had a couple of 'freak out' moments when friends pulled me under water and held me there without realizing that I was afraid. I think small baby steps is the key. And an environment where you feel comfortable enough to progress at your own pace. If you don't want to go underwater, you shouldn't have too, and if you feel pressured in the slightest way, the environment isn't right for you. Having said that, tell people that you are afraid and explain why otherwise they won't understand. I personally would think about just playing around in a local or private pool. Just get comfortable going underwater on your own time. And then progress towards formalized lesson plans. That is just my own personal preference though.

11-28-2011, 04:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Apresto Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 78	wow that's really scary, didn't know the fear of going underwater existed - I enjoy swimming but underwater is not that nice, maybe watching someone swimming underwater is a bit calming and also fun to watch like fish in an aquarium

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums