Does your child like to wear goggles when they swim?
Well, it isn’t for sure that goggle lens color affects mood exactly – but it does affect something. Especially for those who wear goggles every time they swim and they swim for several hours, the color they are looking through can change their enthusiasm, their attitude, energy level or even nerves.
Think about looking through red tinted lenses – even for maybe half hour. It would probably have an effect on you. Studies show that the color green helps seasonal depression. Airlines use pink and blue lights to calm passenger during flights.
Champion swimmers have even noted that wearing red tinted lenses fire them up or blues give them the calm they need for distance events. In fact, we know of one champion who changed events and then changed lens colors – and soon set a lifetime best with the new goggle lens color! Amazing what color can do, isn’t it?
In the same way that you are affected by an overcast day as opposed to a sunny day, goggle lens color can “color” demeanor during swim sessions.
And while – during lessons – your child may not be racing for Gold or trying to set a personal best. But, if an easily excitable child or one who is nervous about swimming or perhaps even pessimistic about abilities can even subliminally improve their attitude going into their lessons, then why not put a little thought behind the goggle color choice you make?
Of course, there is the school of thought that goggles are just goggles. Do they just rub sore places on your ears or stay fogged up the entire time you’re swimming. Well, some think this too.
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At Little Otter, especially in the beginner classes we encourage a significant time spent without goggles. The reason is that children who become too dependent on goggles may not swim well if they were to fall into the water without them. In an emergency, we want children to be able to self-rescue without goggles.
Who is right?
Well, you know what they say about the power of positive thinking. Sometimes believing in something makes it work. Well, if wearing blue tinted goggle lenses makes your child calm because he believes that they do – then put those goggles on him!
Source: Splash Magazine, Mike Gustafson, January/February 2014
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