Swimming is one of the most popular activities in the world. Since the dawn of time, human beings have always found swimming a relaxing activity that also helped them to keep in shape. Human beings swim in oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, and just about anywhere water collects naturally. Eventually, we began to build water bodies in our homes where we could enjoy swimming without having to find an ocean or a lake. The fact of the matter is that there is more to swimming than just relaxation. There are many other benefits of swimming as we shall see in this article.
Swimming is Relatively Safe
As long as one is a proficient swimmer and takes all the common-sense precautions, swimming is as safe an exercise for your loved one as possible. Unlike jogging or running, there is very little danger of slipping, falling, or breaking anything. The water buoyancy carries most of the swimmer’s weight so muscles are not overworked. This however does not mean that the muscles are not worked out. Indeed the arm and leg motions ensure that very specific muscles are worked out at all times.
Requires Little Input
Unlike many other kinds of sports or physical workouts, swimming requires relatively little input. If your loved one is not a proficient swimmer, they may need some little training in order to be safe in the water but that’s just about it. If you don’t already have a pool at home, you can join a facility that has swimming pool facilities such as a club. This means that for a nominal fee, you get access to a world-class pool.
Helps Build Muscles
There is a good reason why swimming is often a part of all athletes looking to build their core muscles and limbs. Swimming is a workout that often doesn’t feel like it is. The various swimming styles all help to build muscles in different parts of the body. However, one can do even more workouts in a pool because it does not feel like a workout.
Research has also shown that swimming also helps with coordination and balance. This is because it helps build muscle strength which in turn makes balance easier for your loved one.
Improves Respiratory Health
One component of swimming is that the swimmer must learn to hold their breath. This controlled breathing has been shown to help improve breathing by allowing the swimmer to take deep controlled breaths. This, in turn, helps improve blood oxidation, brain cell health, and much more.
Offers Outdoor Benefits
While there are indoor swimming facilities, the vast majority of swimming pools and water bodies are outside. This means that your loved one gets to enjoy the fresh air and the sun, all of which are great for combating stress, depression, and anxiety. The sun is also good for Vitamin D which helps to improve the immune system. Swimming in the sea has a whole host of benefits like relaxing your muscles and promoting deep sleep because it is rich in magnesium.
