Swimming Se Wazan Kasie Ghataye
Summer months in hot countries like India can make it difficult to pursue any kind of physical activity, especially those that are performed outdoors. Running, walking, cycling or playing a sport outside must be done either early in the morning or towards late evening to escape the soaring temperatures in the middle of the day.
Swimming is also a low-impact method of exercise as it preserves the health of bones and joints in the long run as compared to exercises like running or exercising in the gym, which means it is one of the rare physical activities that one can continue doing even in old age. It is also a great social activity for families and friends.
Benefits of swimming
Swimming has several benefits that aren’t only limited to physical health; it has a great impact on the quality of anyone’s life for multiple reasons:
Relieves stress:
Much like other forms of exercise, swimming reduces stress and its several symptoms and complications.
Excellent cardio:
Being an aerobic exercise, swimming is a terrific activity for heart and lung health. The reason: every part of your body is exercised to keeping you moving in the water.
Weight and calorie regulation:
Swimming is a great exercise for maintaining body weight, without even having to worry about sweating profusely. Swimming helps you burn the same amount of calories as running.
Builds bone density and mass:
If you thought only weight-training exercises help in building bone strength, think again. A 2003 study explained that while running remains the best activity to preserve and build bone mass, even swimming had positive effects on bone density and weight. Indeed, swimming is one of the recommended exercises for osteoporosis.
Builds muscle endurance and strength:
The resistance provided by the water is effective for building strength in the muscles throughout the body as compared to running, which mostly focuses on the lower half of the body.
Full body workout:
Swimming requires the muscles in your legs and arms to be working together at all times to make your move swiftly through the water, and also engages the entire midsection of the body including the core muscles, making it a great full-body workout.
Improves body coordination:
Swimming is also great to boost balance in the body. Here’s how: both sides of the body need to make an equal effort. Swimming is also known to improve the body’s posture by easing the pressure on the muscles in the back while being afloat.
Improves flexibility: Swimming helps in easing muscle stiffness and helps in enhancing flexibility in the body. (Read more: How to improve flexibility)
Recovery from injuries and illness:
Swimming or water-based movements are usually a part of several rehabilitation programmes for people who have suffered from musculoskeletal problems in the past like repetitive strain injuries and workout injuries. Swimming also helps people deal with degenerative problems such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Cools the body:
The oppressive heat can be severely restricting for people living in hot conditions, and swimming helps in cooling down the body in a natural way, helping the muscles and bones in the body to relax. (Read more: Heat stroke symptoms, causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment)
Manages asthma:
Those with breathing difficulties or suffering from asthma or related ailments stand to improve their physical condition by swimming regularly. Working out in a gym or indoors can aggravate breathing difficulties, but being in the water helps in boosting the health of the lungs and builds more endurance in the body.
Improves sleep:
Lack of sleep or insomnia is a condition common among older people, and swimming is a great activity to alleviate problems concerning sleep disorders. Aerobic exercises have positive effects on sleep and swimming is a great way to get a good night’s sleep.
Mental benefits:
Physical exercise is one of the guaranteed ways of feeling better due to the production of endorphins in the body – endorphins help promote positive thoughts. Swimming is known to have positive effects on people suffering from conditions such as dementia as well, and generally helps retain memory besides being an excellent mood lifter.
Safe for pregnant women and kids:
Swimming is one of the rare physical activities women are encouraged to do at any stage of their pregnancy, as it is known to help develop the brain function of the child. Growing children are also encouraged to swim as it helps in developing their muscles and bones and building immunity as well as improving brain function in children.
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Increased life expectancy:
Multiple researchers have pointed to a higher life expectancy among those who swim as opposed to those who don’t. Swimming is also known to have a better effect on life expectancy than even running.