When you were a kid, did anyone ever tell you not to go swimming for at least 30-60 minutes after eating? 

Ever since it appeared in a Boy Scout handbook in 1908, this myth has been floating around and robbing us of precious swimming time if we bought into it.

This handbook would have us believe that eating diverts blood flow from your muscles to your stomach – and swimming prevents blood flow to the stomach, causing severe pain and cramps that could end tragically. 

Another version of this myth is that it’s your limbs that get deprived of blood flow because your stomach is hoarding it all – again, causing drowning. 

Where do they come up with this stuff? 

This myth was so prevalent that there’s literally a scientific research paper debunking it.

It’s been proven that you can get stomach discomfort from eating while you’re swimming – but this is true for any physical activity. 

Your best bet to avoid tragedy while swimming is to stay hydrated, become a strong swimmer through lessons and practice, don’t overexert yourself, and avoid potentially dangerous swimming conditions. 

So, I’m curious – how many precious summer hours did you spend looking wistfully at the lake/pool/swimming hole after a delicious meal? 

How many minutes did you spend staring at your clock, waiting for that magic number that would finally allow you to swim to your heart’s content?

Not knowing all the facts can cost you more than just precious time – it can also cost you money. Panicking and making decisions based on what the news tells you (like the Columbia Pipeline story that caused people to hoard gasoline!) can rob you of all of the hard work you’ve put into creating your financial future.  

Having a financial advisor on your side will help take that worry off your plate. If what you’re being told seems scary, we’ll already know if it’s something you actually need to worry about. 

Let’s finally get rid of these silly old stories that stop us from doing what makes us happy.

Want to dive into your financial outlook with me? Call 513-563-PLAN (7526) or go online to book a 15-minute chat in my calendar.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®