What Time Should You Go Swimming? Afternoon is the Best!
What is the best time of day to swim outdoors? Well, this depends on many things.
For instance, it depends on why you are swimming. If you are taking a dip for fun, your timing can be different from that of a person who is swimming to lose weight.
The best time for swimming can also depend on where you are swimming. For instance, if you are swimming in open water, you have to know the best time to swim in the ocean. You do not want to swim when there is too much turmoil in the ocean.
Keep reading to see the best time to go to the pool. Remember, swimming has many emotional benefits, including helping you relax and avoid stress.
Best swimming times
There is no particular best time to swim outdoors. However, depending on your experience, it is best to avoid swimming at night or during the times of the day when there is poor visibility, especially during dusk or dawn.
Why the afternoon is the best time to swim
In my opinion, the best time to go swimming is from mid-morning to about 2.00 PM. During these hours, the water is calm, the day is at its hottest, and you can have a great time cooling in the pool, lake, river, or lagoon.
With the sun on your back, the water is going to feel glorious. The water is also warmer at this time than at other times of the day. Thus, you will enjoy yourself most.
If you are swimming in a public pool, an afternoon swim is better because it allows you to de-stress. In addition, the lifeguards are close by so your safety is assured even if you are a bad swimmer.
If you are just learning to swim, go in the afternoon when there are many pool users. It is never a good idea to swim alone when you do not have enough skills.
You need to take precautions when swimming in the afternoon. For instance, if it is summer, you could experience sunburn. Thus, apply your swimming sunscreen lotion to your back to protect you.
Also, in the afternoon, the swimming pool is most likely congested with adults as well as children. Thus, if you like to swim alone, this may not feel like a good time for a swim.
Swimming in the morning hours
If you are a morning person, you can choose to go swimming in the morning. Of course, this has its benefits. It also has its disadvantages.
But just what is morning in this regard? If you are swimming in the dawn hours, well, you have to be extra careful.
First, there are no lifeguards at the pool at that moment. Also, the swimming pool maintenance staff may not be present.
Secondly, the visibility is not too good at dawn. Thus, you might want to avoid swimming in the ocean. Also, since there are not many morning beachgoers, if you experience a problem, there will be no one to rescue you or call for help.
The water can be freezing in the morning hours. However, if you are seeking to lose weight while swimming in cold water, this might be a good opportunity.
Another benefit is that you will not need to use sunscreen because the sun will not be out. If you are swimming to get your cardio, you can swim in the morning.
Is it better to swim in the morning or evening?
We have already seen the benefits and disadvantages of swimming in the morning. Some people also prefer swimming in the evening after work as a means to de-stress and reminisce on the day that was.
In the early evening hours, the water still retains the warmth that it had during the day, so it won’t be too cold.
Evening swims are also not too crowded, so you can enjoy some cool time in the water. Also, by early evening, the lifeguards will not have gone home, so you are pretty safe.
Whether you are swimming in the pool or in open water, evening can be a good option. However, in open water, you have to watch the tide. If it is too high, do not swim.
In the late evening, you mustn’t swim in isolation. Rather, swim with your partner or in a group, and do not go too far from the shore if you are in the open water.
Between evening and morning swims, I would say that it is all about your preference. However, the evening is better because the water is not too cold, and the beach is not solitary.
Can you go swimming at night?
Sure, what is to stop you if night is your thing? But don’t swim in the open water at night. Preferably, just swim in the pool. It must also be well-lit, to prevent freak accidents from happening.
Even if you dip in the pool, make sure it is well-lit. This is not the time to hit your head on a railing. Also, proper lighting enables you to see the spills on the deck so that you do not step on a slippery patch.
Swimming in the ocean is ill-advised. The visibility will be poor and tides are often high during the night. At the same time, the water condition can turn from calm to chaotic without notice.
Besides, you are more likely to experience open water breathing problems when dipping in the ocean at night than during the day.
It is dangerous to swim in the river during the night because of the poor visibility. Also, predators, such as sharks, may come closer to the shore during the night than during the day.
Please check my past blog posts on:
What it means to dream of swimming in the ocean
Is it good to swim with a yeast infection
Swimming underwater dream: Several meanings
Conclusion
The afternoon is the best time of day to swim outdoors, as we have already agreed. However, do not rule morning, evening, and even night swims since they can be powerful.
Besides, if you live in a place like Finland or Norway where there are long summer days that extend well into the night, you can take a dip during the night.
So yes, with precaution, any time can be the best time to go to the pool, and with even more precaution, you can swim in open water at night and have fun.