You know that swimming is a perfect physical activity – and since you are at the moment at best on a beach or at least at a lake or pool, you should also know that swimming is so good that we can’t help but we do not ask ourselves – why man is not a fish. Joke aside, water is good for the body both inside and out.
Water. Half of life is water. Two-thirds of the globe, more than two-thirds of the body, the recommended daily dose to drink, shower or bath… You should all join – from January to December – about 30 minutes of swimming every day, or at least a few times a week, to be healthy.
There are many reasons to dive into the water, even if it was a fountain, right away, but let’s remind ourselves why this summer, and then the rest of the season, should be dedicated to swimming.
It puts you in a weightless state
The human body in water becomes very light. If you are in the water to the waist, you have the impression that you do not have about 50 percent of your weight, and when you are in the water to the neck, you feel only 10 percent of your weight. Precisely because of that almost weightless state, staying in the water is pleasant and relaxing, meditative. It’s like being in space.
Improves bone density and muscle tone
Admire the swimmer’s wonderful spindle muscles and the swimmer’s shoulder width. This is one of the best aerobic activities that activates the whole body – leg muscles, arms, back, abs, and the body becomes flexible and strong. There are no sudden movements in the water, the whole body, every muscle resists the water, and the bones and ligaments do not suffer from the load. It is ideal for the joint-muscular system, especially in case of some discomfort, convenient if you suffer from arthritis.
Half an hour of some aerobic activity in water is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on dry land. It increases the mobility and elasticity of the joints, and research has shown that swimming also contributes to bone density in postmenopausal women, thus protecting against osteoporosis and other diseases of the skeletal system. If you are injured, swimming speeds up your recovery.
Relieves stress, improves mood
Swimming reduces stress and sadness, and improves sleep. Swimming has a meditative effect similar to yoga. As you swim, you are focused on your own breathing rhythm, while listening to the sound of water that further relaxes. Swimming helps you breathe deeper, and thus reduces the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, and automatically calms the whole organism. When swimming, the hormone of happiness – endorphin – is released. Not to mention better memory and mental functions. If you suspect that stress is threatening your health, jump into the water and swim, swim, swim…
Loses weight, increases energy
Nothing burns calories like swimming – in half an hour of light swimming you can burn as many as 200 calories, which is twice as much as you would burn by walking, and if you swim vigorously, you will burn more than by running or cycling.
In 10 minutes of swimming, you will burn: chest style – 60 calories, back crawl – 80 calories, freestyle or chest crawl – 100 calories, and butterfly style – 150 calories.
Preserves heart health
Swimming strengthens the muscles of the chest, but it also strengthens the most important muscle of the body – the heart. It stimulates its work and the function of pumping blood, so it also contributes to the health of blood vessels and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association says that 30 minutes of swimming a day in women can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 30-40 percent.
Reduces the risk of diabetes
If you swim for 30 minutes once a week, you will reduce the risk of stroke and type 2 diabetes. Even if you have type 1 diabetes, swimming will help you increase your insulin sensitivity. Also, this activity lowers blood pressure, so a moderate pace of swimming is recommended for people with high blood pressure.
Increases lung capacity
Thanks to the humidity of the air, swimming relieves asthma and increases the capacity of the lungs. The lungs work harder, and that improves their ability. This was confirmed by research in asthmatic children who were in the swimming program for six years, and whose breathing difficulties significantly decreased after only a year.
Nourishes and protects the skin
Well, that only applies to swimming in sea water, the water in the pool is full of chlorine, which the skin doesn’t really like. Sea water is rich in magnesium, sodium and calcium, which nourish the skin. Use the stay at the sea to improve the appearance of the skin, and sea water has a beneficial effect on psoriasis or eczema and acne.
Preserves vitality and prolongs life
Every physical activity is good, but swimming can also prolong life. Research conducted among more than 40,000 men aged 20 to 90 over the age of 32 has shown that those who swim regularly have as much as a 50 percent higher chance of living longer than those who run or walk.
Great for pregnant women and babies
Swimming is also great for pregnant women because it does not burden the joints and abdomen. As it strengthens the heart, it improves the flow of oxygen through the blood – which is very good for both pregnant women and babies. By the way, water reduces the swelling of the joints during pregnancy, which is a big problem for pregnant women during the summer.
Perfect your swimming styles
As much as you are a good swimmer, a break makes its own. Constant improvement of the chest, crawl and butterfly will make you a strong person ready for various life challenges, good and bad.