Can anxiety affect ability to swim?

[MrsElm]

So a bit of an odd question. But some background first.
I have not always been prone to anxiety, but over the last few years it's been ramping up. Causes are a layering of marriage problems, bereavement, Covid, peri-menopause.
I have never been a very confident swimmer, but enjoyed it as an exercise. I do breast stroke, don't put my head under water, slowish but steady. I was doing it regularly and even did a 100 length sponsored swim. But then I lost my confidence, as the level of water in local pool went very low, and I kept touching the bottom. It totally knocked my confidence and I struggled to continue. That was several years ago.
This week I am on holiday with my 12 year old daughter at a holiday park with an on site pool, and we have been swimming every day. On the first day, Saturday, I really tried, and managed to get going again, and have been improving every day. I have been so pleased with myself!
But yesterday when we went to the pool after a long day out, I just couldn't do it, and I am back to square one! I seem to have lost the ability to float or coordinate my limbs! And trying makes me more anxious about it. This morning I am feeling generally anxious about the state of my marriage and the rising cost of energy.
I appreciate that this is long and a complex situation. But I feel just so disappointed with myself for not being able to do it.
So is it possible that my anxiety has caused the swimming issues, and what should I do?

When you tense your muscles, you are less floaty. Also when you're breathing shallowly you are less floaty. Since you're feeling uncomfortable, I wouldn't try to swim. I'd stay in the shallow end, holding on to one side and practice floating on your back. Take nice deep breaths and notice how as you breathe in, your chest rises. Try to relax and look at the sky and enjoy floating. It is worth mentioning to the lifeguard that you're feeling uncomfortable in the water, so that they can keep an eye on you.

I find anxiety affects how you control your breathing which does impact swimming. I would just focus on relaxing and doing what you can to take the pressure off yourself and they try swimming again. If I lie on my back in sea and do 6-8 deep breaths my body literally floats more in the water as I relax it’s a lovely feeling and makes you realise how much tension in your body makes you sink.

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@Gardenoverflow @MermaidSwimming99
Thank you both, I will try floating on my back. But currently thinking I will be happier to stay out of the pool for now.

@MermaidSwimming99 do you do mermaid swimming? My DD does this, she loves it!

In my experience anxiety can get its claws into anything so yes, I can imagine it's possibly a combination of physical symptoms making swimming difficult (tension/breathing) and a psychological block.

I think when you're feeling like that just hold onto the side and do lots of kicking, leg movements. Don't push it too hard, just try again next time.

@Gallant282 yes, it really feels like a psychological block!

Have you tried swimming with a woggle? When the mental block strikes you can use it and then all you have to concentrate on is kicking your legs.

Maybe anxiety was your bodies way of telling you to slow down after a long day, week.

Anxiety can can into your muscles and whole body and it certainly effects my movement and exercise. Also having had a bad experience or two makes is harder to do it again.
I would try not to put pressure on yourself and just observe whats happening. Dont force yourself too much.

I was slow to learn to swim - I was scared, tense , no wonder all the kicking and splashing didn't work - I nowknow you have to relax into the water.
I find goggles help a lot and stay within your depth and just mooch about .. and a float is nice sometimes so you're just using legs.