Not only does swimming give you the opportunity to spend quality time with your love ones and have fun, it is also a low-impact form of exercise that’s suitable for people of all ages and with amazing benefits. If you are not into swimming yet, get in and enjoy the following health benefits:
Sweat-free
Unlike other exercises that make you sweaty, swimming does not make you sweaty, not at all. The constant movement you make while swimming generates about 80% body heat but due to the water which tends to be cooler than your body temperature that moves around you, you feel cooled down than heated.
Aids circulation
“Swimming is one exercise that is kinder to the heart,” Mr. Buxton, a cardiologist, reveals. He explained that, while swimming, the water that surrounds your body exerts pressure which helps your circulatory system return your blood to your heart, and the demand on your heart is reduced.
Reduces Cholesterol Level
Research have shown that, swimming for thirty minutes or longer helps reduce the LDL (Low density lipoprotein, the bad cholesterol) in our blood while it raises the levels good cholesterol HDL (High density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol). Why do you need High Density Lipoprotein anyway? HDL cholesterol acts as a maintenance crew for the inner walls (endothelium) of blood vessels. Damage to the inner walls is the first step in the process of atherosclerosis, which causes heart attacks and strokes. HDL scrubs the wall clean and keeps it healthy.
Reduces blood pressure
When one has high blood pressure, the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries which leads to the development of heart failure. However when you swim, the water that surrounds your body exerts pressure which helps your circulatory system return your blood to your heart. Hence, the demand on your heart is reduced.
Swimming for thirty minutes or more at least two three times a week can unexpectedly lower your blood pressure.
Strengthens muscles
The resistance of water is greater than air, hence, you have to work harder to move through it, which helps strengthen your muscles.
Improves mood
No matter the mood you find your self in and its level, swimming can make you feel better. After swimming, you will feel less depressed. This, I can personally attest to since I have experienced it a couple of times. The ability of swimming to improve mood may be due to the fact that exercising, stimulates the release of feel-good hormone serotonin. Serotonin is commonly regarded as a chemical responsible for maintaining mood balance.
Helps lose weight
Want to shake off the fat faster without any side effect? Try swimming! It beats walking, cycling and running. “My therapist told me swimming breaststroke for about thirty minutes will burn 367Kcal, depending on one’s weight and speed. And it did work for me,” reveals Miriam.
In addition to these, there are other benefits for this interesting exercise including its ability to improve sleep, lower stress levels and increase self esteem.
How has your swimming experience been like? Has it helped you in anyway aside these? Kindly share in your comments.
