5 Reasons You Should Be in the Pool
There is no denying all the benefits of swimming regardless of our age or fitness levels. Swimming as physical activity provides our body and mind with a type of overhaul, helping our muscles get toned, increasing our stamina and clearing up our mind. It is no wonder that so many successful business people list it as their preferred activity. But you don’t have to take their word for it, here are five foolproof reasons you should be in the pool at least a couple of times a week.
It’s great for improving your fitness level
The main reason for this is that it works your entire body. Not only does it increase your heart rate without stressing your body, but it also tones your muscles, builds up strength and has a positive effect on your endurance. Now in order to maximize the effects of swimming and add some variety to your swimming workout, you can incorporate various different strokes. From the most common breaststrokes and backstroke to variations like sidestroke and butterfly. Of course, there is the ever-present freestyle if you feel like experimenting. Now each one of this strokes activates different muscle groups and the water provides gentle resistance making the exercise itself that much more effective.
It can help you start your day with more energy
If you start your day with just 30 minutes of swimming you will see a noticeable boost in your daily energy level. This is due to the increased metabolic rate that comes from the physical activity. At the same time, you will clear your mind thus increasing your productivity levels for that day. Now if you lack the motivation to get up and get to the pool in the morning you can always find little motivators like getting yourself a gorgeous bikini or treating yourself in some other way. The important thing is to be consistent and to do this at least three times a week so as to obtain optimal results.
It’s a great way of getting rid of stress
Our daily stress levels can get really high, whether the cause is work or personal life. Now in order to keep our health in check, it is important to find the most effective ways of getting rid of that stress or at least managing it. This is where swimming can come in quite handy. Any type of physical exercise has a positive effect on stress reduction, but what makes swimming so special is the fact that the soft splashing of water muffles the sounds of the outside world and with each repeated stroke you naturally fall into a meditative state. As you know, swimming requires you to take deep, regular breaths while you slowly stretch and relax all of your skeletal muscles. Not only that, but it also engages your entire body and focuses your mind on the coordinated movements of your upper and lower limbs. Counting your laps can turn into a kind of slow mantra, which can lead you into a kind of relaxing meditative state.
It helps your heart stay healthy
By swimming regularly you are providing your body with the necessary daily activity essential for keeping your heart healthy. You are also working on your fitness levels without overexerting this essential muscle. Finally, by keeping your metabolism active and burning off calories, you are helping your har do a better job while not working over time. In addition, swimming can help you sleep and it is a well-known fact that a good night’s sleep is essential for cardiovascular health.
It improves your memory
This is one of the less known benefits of swimming. People who exercise tend to have a greater volume of the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory (the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal cortex). In most cases even just 120 minutes of low to moderate exercise per week has a tendency to improve your memory. So by taking time and going for a swim a couple of times a week, you will be able to rake the benefits of great memory boost.
The above-listed reasons are just some of the numerous benefits of taking the time and including swimming in your daily routine. So basically you are left without an excuse. So see you in the pool!