Swimming and all of the health benefits of this full body workout
Swimming has many physical and mental health benefits for all ages. From the very young to the very old. If you’re looking for a low-impact exercise in a controlled environment to treat and prevent painful health conditions, then swimming may be right for you.
Swimming can help improve your flexibility, strength, circulation and lung capacity.
So, what are the benefits?
One of the biggest benefits of swimming is that it truly works your entire body, head to toe. Swimming can increase your heart rate without stressing your body. It builds strength and endurance. No matter what stroke you swim, you’re using most of your muscle groups to move your body through the water.
Swimming makes your heart and lungs strong. Compared with inactive people, swimmers have about half the risk of death. Some other studies have shown that swimming may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.
Swimming may help reduce some of your pain or improve your recovery from an injury. One study showed that people with osteoarthritis reported significant reductions in joint pain and stiffness, and experienced less physical limitation after partaking in activities like swimming.
Indoor or Outdoor swimming?
The enviroment in an indoor pool area is usually humid and this makes swimming a great activity for people with asthma. Not only that, but breathing exercises associated with the sport, like holding your breath, may help you expand your lung capacity and gain control over your breathing.
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may also find swimming beneficial. Studies have found that a 20-week swimming program resulted in significant reduction of pain for people with MS. These people also showed improvements with symptoms like fatigue, depression, and disability.
Swimming may also help you sleep better at night, especially if you suffer from insomnia, it helps to boost your mood and manage stress. Swimming regularly can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve your sleep patterns.
Feeling the mental benefits of swimming takes just a light swim. No pounding the lanes needed, unless that is your goal!
Outdoor swimming has become much more popular these days. You may find local groups in your area that meet up and swim in the sea, in lakes or in lochs together.
Cold water swimming in particular has become somewhat a bit of a trend, with most participants expressing the positive results from this in both body and mind.
Should you experience any injuries from sporting activities and wish to book an assessment click the following links:
No matter what stroke you swim, if it’s in the pool or the open water, there are a lot of benefits from swimming. So, try to put swimming into your routine to increase your overall wellbeing and health.
