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There is a bus stop in Montreal which offers waiting commuters the fun of riding on a swing instead of spending a sedentary spell on a cold hard seat or queuing in a line.
Swinging is the exercise of moving back and forth while suspended from above in one particular direction.
What fun it must be to swing away your day's cares.
A swing was once the regular play apparatus in a domestic garden which is not often present these days.
There is always the swimming pool but that’s for summer fun, mostly enjoyed during day.
I’m not detracting from the benefits of cooling off in a pool of water and providing a pleasant spot at home around which families and friends gather to entertain.
For swinging is a solitary exercise with a load of physical and psychological benefits for both adults and children.
It’s a simple means of recharging ‘your batteries’ while swinging away your woes. Or in popular language, ‘getting in touch with your inner child’ to regain or induce a feeling of being carefree and playful.
Usually what you will find today in domestic gardens and public playgrounds is a complex climbing frame with all types of challenges — up knotted ropes and ladders, through hoops and a concluding the exercise after mounting the frame ‘to be king of the castle’ is a slide. All designed to offer gross motor challenges to little people while possibly for the watching parent it proves their child’s degree of bravery.
For children swinging promotes risk taking in a positive way.
Unlike a swing, all these types of play apparatus are costly to install.
Whereas a swing provides a host of benefits for both children and adults alike.
An amusing memory of a swing in my childhood garden included a kind, or irritated, gesture by a neighbour who offered a bag of chicken food to us to feed the chickens who he believed were squawking. The noise really came from the swing which he couldn’t see because of the high hibiscus hedge between our houses. The swing mechanism simply needed a bit of oiling.
Swing inventor Charles Wicksteed’s first garden swing was built almost a century ago but by tracing its origin through ancient art illustrations on Greek vases we find that children and women were depicted swinging as early as the fifth Century BC. Which begs the question why was the fun exercise not enjoyed by men.
Using an outdoor swing has a number of mental and physical benefits for both children and adults.
Here they are:
Physically the action of swinging develops gross motor skills — pumping your legs to swing higher, ‘running’ while seated to increase your swinging speed and jumping.
Fine motor skills are also enhanced as it requires grip strength on the ropes, arm and finger co-ordination. In children it develops core muscles and helps with the development of balance.
It teaches both children and adults an awareness of inner rhythm. Something an adult can lose after trauma or surgery.
Swinging develops a child’s vestibular system especially when they have a problem with equilibrium. The movement also co-ordinates eye movements with head movement.
The whole-body awareness which swinging develops helps a child process information facilitating their ability to write, colour and cut.
It aids in the process of developing the postural stability needed to tie shoelaces, button up their clothes, pour cool drinks and wash their hands.
Generally swinging provides a fun and entertaining activity for both adults and children while enjoying the benefits of spending time outdoors getting fresh air and topping up on happy hormones.
Old age homes and retirement villages should include a swing in their gardens. For what reason: Swinging encourages physical activity where other movement might be daunting to the infirm or frail. It helps improve balance and co-ordination and builds strength in core muscles, legs and arms.
It reduces stress and anxiety as swinging back and forth has a calming influence on the body. You might have to suppress an unexpected inner laugh at the fun you are enjoying.
It also enhances bonding as it’s a great way of spending time with friends and family. This simple activity allows people to bond facilitating social interaction allowing people to connect and effortlessly enjoy social interaction with each other.
This simple and addition to your playground at home is a relatively inexpensive means to enhance the overall appeal to your outdoor space.
Swinging also has a direct influence on how we feel. Increased exposure to Vitamin D in the form of daylight is highly beneficial to our mental well-being. The vitamin from the sun also builds strong bones and brain development.
For those who have a magical view before them it is a great way to experience it rather than sitting on a stoep or deck where everything is static.
In the garden:
The style of a swing offers a visual appeal with various designs, styles and colour choices.
The swing can double as a focal point.
Its presence can create a relaxing atmosphere where the gentle motion of it in use introduces a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. It can be a peaceful place to sit and unwind while enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings. (It also does not need company for you to enjoy it).
A swing can provide a cosy spot to read or chat or be an inviting place to sit and read or chat with friends and family.
It encourages people to enjoy the outdoors in a simple way.
For children it promotes risk taking in a positive way.
• In the Garden is written by feature writer, garden enthusiast and former teacher Julia Smith, who has returned home to live in Chintsa East. The column aims to inform novice and accomplished gardeners on how to make the most of their green patches.
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