25 Great Reasons to Start Swimming Now
21. Helps With Chronic Diseases, Post-Op, and as Physical Therapy
Water-based exercise can help people with chronic diseases. For those afflicted with arthritis, it improves use of affected joints without worsening symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis patients notice an improvement in health after participating in hydrotherapy than with other activities. Swimming and water-based exercise also helps affected joints and decreases pain from osteoarthritis.
Post-Hip and Knee Replacement
If you've had a hip or knee replacement, the doctor may have recommended hydrotherapy. That means swimming. You can get in the pool right after sutures have been removed and the wound is healed, usually 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
For Asthma Patients
Swimming has proven to be beneficial for asthma sufferers. Think about it -- certain strokes will encourage lung function and breathing control. If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, jumping in the pool may relieve symptoms, because it allows asthmatics to work out in moist air, reducing symptoms. Because swimming requires breath control, it also improves overall lung and breathing capacity.
22. Relieves Stress
Ever had an urge to get in your car and just drive away from it all, whatever "it all" is? Everyone needs a little rest and relaxation -- that's usually what weekends are supposed to be about. Stress from work, school, family, job hunting all begins to build up. Letting it build up is not healthy for you or those around you.
While it may sound simple, being able to just jump in a pool and start swimming can provide an enormous relief of pressure.
The aerobic benefits of swimming help your circulatory system function better, leading to better blood circulation to your brain. If your brain gets enough blood and oxygen (through aerobic exercise), it starts a process called hippocampal neurogenesis, in which cells from the hippocampus that have been lost due to stress are replaced with new cells.
Aerobic exercises like swimming can trigger the release of endorphins in the brain, which are chemicals that bring about feelings of contentment and euphoria.
23. Boosts the Immune System
Did you know that swimming can boost your immune system? When cells in the body regularly get blood and oxygen, they function better and do a more effective job or removing toxins like carbon dioxide. This helps your body's overall well being. Swimming also has a positive effect on the lymphatic system. When the lymph system is in order, white blood cells are regularly distributed, resulting in increased immunity against diseases and infections.24. Family Oriented
Where there's a pool, the family congregates, for swimming, fun, and a barbecue. It creates a reason to get together -- kind of a focal point, or something around which to build activities. Parents of children with developmental disabilities have found that outdoor activities in a casual setting, like swimming, help improve family bonds. It kind of takes the focus off the child, and gives everyone something fun to do; sort of a win/win situation.
25. Going Solo
While rules used to advise us to "swim with a friend" for safety's sake, that doesn't mean you have to arrange a date every time you want to go swimming. Keeping safety in mind at home, your child can swim solo at home provided you or a designated water watcher is stationed at the pool. The same would be true for a senior adult who goes swimming in their backyard pool -- it's best to have someone around to keep an eye on you during your workout.Otherwise, if you are going to the local pool, go alone,take a friend -- the choice is yours. Enjoy!
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