What is the better way to cool off than to take a refreshing dip in the water? It doesn’t matter whether it’s at the beach or pool, the long sunny days are a perfect excuse to go swimming. But swimming isn’t just fun and a great way to cool down, it’s also very good for your health and while you’re splashing about, you’re actually doing wonders for your body.

Photo Credit : healthline

INCREASE FLEXIBILITY

Water’s buoyancy reduces a person’s weight by about 90%. Pool water’s buoyancy counteracts the force of gravity, making swimming an ideal low-impact form of exercise that puts very little stress on those bones and joints. If it’s a heated pool, even better, muscles will be relaxed, which increases flexibility and enables you to engage in important stretching exercises. If you’re one of those fitness freak who engage in intense workouts like running, cycling or lifting weights, swimming helps flush out toxins, preventing muscle tightness and soreness the next day.

BURN CALORIES

Of course swimming is one of the easiest and best way to burn unwanted calories without having the unwanted feeling of sweating. An hour of swimming burns about 500 calories. Swimming increases your metabolism, continuing the “burn” for a while even when you’ve exited the pool!

A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

You hear about certain forms of exercise being a “total-body workout.” Maybe, but swimming is the original total-body workout. It targets everything from sculpting your back to toning your arms. No heavy equipment or weights are needed. Instead of buying lots of different pieces of exercise equipment to work specific muscles, jump in the pool and tone your whole body in a few laps.

IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

It’s a proven fact that physical activity improves mood in children and also adults. For people with conditions like fibromyalgia, swimming can help decrease stress and anxiety, while relaxing, strengthening and toning muscles. Exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood. Water-based exercise improves mental health naturally! It can also improve the health of pregnant mothers and has a positive effect on the mothers’ mental health.

TEAM & INDIVIDUAL SPORT

If you have that competitive spirit and or want to be an athlete, this is it. Just think about the Olympics, and what you or most people enjoy watching the most. For many, it’s the swimming competitions, especially with those inside-the-pool cameras, catching every breathtaking part of the competition. Starting from childhood, participating on a swim team can build up strength, confidence and the ability to get along with others which is good.