Swimming is one of the few sports that you don’t have to be ‘good at’ in order to benefit from it. It is an extremely versatile sport that can benefit people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. It is also one of the only sports that you can start at any age, as it is suitable for the old and young alike. So jump in, and let’s go over some of the amazing benefits that can be achieved through swimming. For starters, swimming is a full-body workout, utilizing your whole body from head to toe. It provides great exercise for your cardiovascular system, without stressing your body out too much. One hour burns almost as many calories as running does, but swimming is far kinder to your joints and bones. The variety of different strokes will help you tone muscles, and build both strength and endurance.

Since swimming is low impact, it is generally a pregnancy-safe exercise (of course you should always speak with your doctor first). Not only does the water help reduce swollen ankles and feet, but research has also shown that swimming can lower the risk of preterm labor. It is also greatly beneficial for people with injuries and arthritis. Low impact exercise has been shown to reduce pain and improve injury recovery. Swimming on a regular basis can reduce anxiety and depression as well as lower stress levels. It provides a time to truly leave the world outside, by physically forcing you to disconnect from the digital world. This creates a more relaxed feeling in the water, and swimming has been compared to yoga in terms of anxiety and stress reduction.

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It also helps you fall asleep quicker and if practiced regularly, can even improve the quality of your sleep. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits of swimming, it is also a relatively affordable sport. For starters, there’s minimal gear required, no special equipment like cycling for example. It also provides a great way to experience nature. If you’re lucky enough to live near a safe natural place for swimming, the peace of an early morning swim in the lake is incomparable with anything else.