{"id":9711,"date":"2021-06-18T14:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T21:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=9711"},"modified":"2021-06-18T23:05:54","modified_gmt":"2021-06-19T06:05:54","slug":"swings-are-fun-for-teens-college-students-and-adults-and-they-reduce-stress-anxiety-and-improve-mood-memory-and-pms-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/swings-are-fun-for-teens-college-students-and-adults-and-they-reduce-stress-anxiety-and-improve-mood-memory-and-pms-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Swings are fun for teens, college students and adults! And they reduce stress\/anxiety, and improve mood, memory and PMS symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"swings<\/p>\n

Earlier this month I met up with a dear childhood friend for a walk and catch-up and we both rediscovered the joy of swings. I always suggest a walk or hike or swim when meeting with friends and colleagues, and this time was no different except that I really wanted to go somewhere with a swing!<\/p>\n

The reason that I wanted to find a swing set was because I had just read an article about swings and teen girls needing a better place to hang out. I love the outdoors and love to play, laugh and have fun, and I couldn\u2019t resist it once I started looking at the research. I discovered all the wonderful benefits of improved mood, reduced anxiety and stress, improved cognition and memory, reduced PMS symptoms, improved social relationships and reduced pain.<\/p>\n

These pictures are us swinging and catching up \u2013 we laughed and laughed and had such fun!\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe we\u2019ve been friends for close to 50 years and it always feels like we were never apart when we do get together.<\/p>\n

\"swings\"<\/p>\n

Our swing experience made it extra special this time! You can see the pure joy on our faces!<\/p>\n

Teen girls needing a better public space to hang out<\/h2>\n

The recent Bloomberg article I had read, Teen Girls Need Better Public Spaces to Hang Out<\/u><\/a> shares this:<\/p>\n

Making space for girls means rethinking which age groups need to swing and climb, how to encourage physical activity (and not just playing a sport), and how to make a safe, sheltered place for outdoor conversation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And this about movement:<\/p>\n

While lack of activity among teens is a major public health issue, many girls are looking for more creative, less competitive ways of moving their bodies.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It features really cool images of swings called \u201cSwing Time.\u201d They are designed by H\u00f6weler + Yoon Architecture and deliver \u201cthe kind of fun, physical outdoor experience with room for face-to-face conversation that many teen girls are looking for<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

As I mentioned above, I was immediately intrigued because I love the idea of outdoor play and social interaction in a safe place for young girls.<\/p>\n

Beth Jones, <\/strong>a Mindset and Wellness Coach<\/a> who works with teen girls and their moms incorporating movement, play and nutrition, posted the Bloomberg article on Facebook saying:<\/p>\n

I love this idea so much. I used to love going to the playground in my teens to swing, hang out, just have a space for me. There’s a reason why my business logo has a girl on a swing. That swinging and twisting are also so great for the vestibular system and can help calm anxiety (the back and forth swinging). Maybe they should bring back some swings to middle and high schools.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I\u2019m familiar with the use of swings in occupational therapy<\/a> to address sensory processing disorders in children. But I was also very interested to know if there was any research on the health benefits of swings for teens and adults. I went searching and was very pleased with what I found, hence this blog post.<\/p>\n

Before we get into the research I\u2019d like to extend a big thanks to Beth Jones for the inspiration for all this! Now the research …..<\/p>\n

PMS symptoms improved: mood, stress, anxiety, social relationships, pain and memory<\/h2>\n

This small study, Vestibular stimulation for management of premenstrual syndrome<\/a> found the following benefits after 2 months of using the swing in females 18-30 years of age:<\/p>\n