Health Benefits from Swimming

By Mindy Longhurst

Everyone knows that exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is a fun and painless way to get exercise into your schedule. There are many benefits from swimming. These benefits include:

Better exercise for those with joint pain

The water has a great way of easing joint pain. As a result, swimming is one of the only forms of exercise where it does not hurt people with joint issues. Swimming takes the stress off the body and joints.

Good aerobic exercise

Adults are supposed to get about 2.5 hours of exercise per week. Swimming is a great way to accomplish this weekly goal.

Swimming is fun

Swimming is a fun form of exercise. Even children who do not enjoy exercising usually enjoy swimming in a pool, because it is fun!

Healing

Water has wonderful healing opportunities. Water feels great on the skin and helps to be able to relax your muscles and body.

Improves mental health

It has been proven that going swimming improves people’s mental health. When most people leave a pool or lake they feel relaxed and are calmer and happier.

Good exercise for older adults

Because of the healing aspect of the water and the ease of joints, swimming is a great way for older adults to receive their exercise.

Tones muscles

Swimming uses the muscles of your body in different ways than running or lifting weights. Swimming tones the shoulders, arms and legs.

For more information about health benefits from swimming, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/health_benefits_water_exercise.html