Swimming is one of the most popular sports and is suitable for all ages. Swimming is one of the best ways to train our entire body and cardiovascular system.
Did you know, swimming for an hour burns the same calories as running, without the impact on bones and joints. Not only for physical health, swimming also has an impact on mental health.
The following are the benefits of swimming for physical and mental health that are rarely known by many people:
1. Burn Calories
When swimming, the whole body will work which results in the burning of calories in the body to be more optimal. Swimming burns almost the same calories as running without risking injury, such as bone or joint injury.
Swimming can also reduce pain or speed up recovery from an injury. In a study published on the Healthline page, people with osteoarthritis (inflammation of the joints) reported reduced pain after swimming.
2. Strengthens Muscles
Quoting from the Life Hack page, swimming can strengthen and increase muscle mass. Muscle building occurs because when we swim, we use a lot of muscles to move in the water.
Not only that, swimming also trains the whole body from head to toe which can tighten muscles and increase heart rate without stress.
3. Make Smarter
For children, swimming can affect their intelligence level. A study shows that children who swim at an early age can master the skill more than usual. That's what was reported from the Women's Health Mag page.
This is because their motor skills improve and are more adept at mastering language or arithmetic than other children who do not swim regularly.
4. Reduce Asthma Symptoms
As we already know, swimming is highly recommended for people with asthma. Swimming not only trains cardiovascular strength, but also helps increase lung capacity and improve breathing control, as reported by the Medical News Today page.
5. Maintain Mental Health
A study published in the Journal of Psychology, found that a person's mood improved after swimming. In addition, a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic, reported that some college students felt less anxious, relaxed, and more excited after swimming than before swimming. That's what was reported from the SELF page.
6. Overcoming Stress and Depression
Many things make us stressed and even depressed, ranging from work, love, or family factors. Quoting from the Swimming page, swimming regularly can reduce stress levels, anxiety, depression, and even improve sleep patterns.
This is because when you exercise, your body naturally reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline at the same time and creates endorphins that make you feel better.