The Top 3 Health Benefits of Swimming

In a world running rampant with fast food and sedentary lifestyles, it’s important to find a way to get your body moving each and everyday. But for those who haven’t worked out for a while, it can seem downright impossible to get in a good workout without seriously injuring yourself or becoming tired and faint after just a few minutes. However, there is a solution to this problem: swimming.

While you may think that swimming is just something you enjoy doing when the weather is hot, swimming actually has a plethora of health benefits for both the body and the mind. So whether you have a swimming hole in your area, a gym at which you’re a member, or a fully wired and working pool at home, here are the top three reasons you should be taking advantage of this amazing form of exercise and relaxation.

Great Way to Burn Calories

Swimming provides you with an excellent full-body workout whenever you’re in the water. Because water is so much denser than air, the work you do to swim burns more calories than many above-water exercises you could try. Add to this the fact that swimming uses all of your major muscles groups and it’s no wonder why swimming is regarded as such a great way to get in a fun and effective workout. In fact, Swimming.org shares that even a gentle swim can burn up to 200 calories in just 30 minutes!

Very Easy On the Body

Not only is swimming a great way to shed some pounds, but it’s also extremely easy on your body. With exercises like running or biking, it’s very easy to injure yourself either through improper form or overexertion. But because swimming is such a low-impact form of exercise, Hannah Caldas of BreakingMuscle.com states that it can even be done as a form or rehabilitation for people who’ve injured their body in another way. The weightlessness and subtle resistance of the water takes all the pressure off your body while also helping you become stronger at the same time.

Improves Your Mental Health

The benefits of swimming don’t stop just at your muscles. According to Better Mental Health Magazine, swimming can also have a positive effect on your mental status as well. Being in the water helps your body to relax and your mind to be calmed, decreasing the amount of stress or anxiety you feel—as long as you don’t have a fear of water. So if you get stressed thinking about heading to the gym or going for a long run, consider opting for swimming to get the movement your body needs without the mental anguish of a traditional workout.
Swimming can satisfy both your body’s need to exercise as well as your mind’s need for peace. If you haven’t yet started implementing swimming into your workout routine, consider trying it out this week to see just how this practice can have a positive impact on your health.