Kids love swings! They would never think of it this way, but swinging on swings helps them develop their minds and bodies. Many adults, however, find that just the thought of a swingset can make them ill. What’s the deal here, is it unavoidable?
Why kids love swings
We all remember the thrill of flying through the air, pumping our legs or getting an “underdog.” It gave us a feeling of power that our little bodies rarely achieved. We didn’t know that the act of swinging was helping us develop motor skills, body awareness, and core strength. It was stimulating brain activity, teaching us spatial awareness, and promoting balance. Perhaps it was even recalling movement in the womb, or a mother’s gentle rocking, in a way that calmed our nervous system.
A refresher about the vestibular
We talked a little about the vestibular system in our Exercise Like a Baby article. In short, it’s a sensory system in the inner ear that allows for spatial orientation and coordination of movement to achieve balance. The motion of swinging produces vestibular stimulation in a way that’s very beneficial to children, but can throw adults for a loop!
The joy of it
Here’s a video that will make you smile.
Can swings be enjoyed in adulthood?
Ever tried to go down memory lane at the playground and received a rude awakening? The activities we loved as kids can now make us dizzy, nauseous, or disoriented. Scientists don’t exactly know the reason for this. But it may have something to do with how we’ve become accustomed to certain norms of sensory input — all of which get turned on their head by swinging.
The good news? Your vestibular system can be exercised like everything else in your body. Engaging in any sort of movement–from gentle motions of the head to swinging on a trapeze — can help your vestibular system stay young at heart. Next thing you know you’ll be asking the nearest kid to give you an underdog.
Come visit us at Parkside
Come see our expert team at Parkside Clinic where we tailor our care to your specific condition and tap into your body’s natural healing ability. Make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact us.