Swimming is a recreational activity that is suitable for people of all ages. Alongside being an enjoyable workout, it also proves to have many health benefits, like stress-relief and improved bone and muscle mass.
Let’s take a look at how swimming can benefit you today!
Swimming is a low-impact workout that keeps your heart rate up without adding unnecessary stress to your body. It helps build endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, which is great for everyone. In order to see results from swimming, though, it’s important to continue to do it consistently. Swimming helps you maintain a healthy weight, heart, and lungs, and is also beneficial for those recovering from an injury, have arthritis, disability, or other conditions that make high-impact exercises difficult.
When we feel stressed, it causes our muscles to tense up. Rather than going to lift weights in the gym, consider taking a swim! Swimming forces you to stretch and relax your skeletal muscles, and in turn relieves tense muscles and eases the pain of any swollen joints. It has been shown to be mentally therapeutic to be near water, so being in contact with water can help loosen up both the body and mind. Even more so, being immersed in water forces you to pay close attention to your technique and in turn, has a meditative, and relaxing effect on the mind.
Builds Bone Mass
Swimming builds muscle and bone mass as a result of the density of the water and the effects of gravity on your body are mitigated by the physical support of the water itself. The resistance from the water during physical movement places a demand on the skeletal system and on the bones. When these areas are subjected to stress, they are forced to respond and increase muscle tension, ultimately resulting in stronger, denser bones. Swimming also helps to build and maintain muscles, and improves coordination, flexibility, and balance.
At Schuster Family Medicine and Osteopathic Care, we believe that treating disease is important, but it requires a focus on the person first! Dr. Schuster offers time to each and every patient to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. With unlimited access to Dr. Schuster, you’ll have a partner and guide on the journey to a healthier and happier you! Visit our website for more information.