English doctors endorsed the healing power of water for everything from a bad mood to heatstroke from the 16th century onwards. Some of their approaches, like a seaside vacation, were successful. Others, like dunking ladies into the cold sea repeatedly, not so much. They had the correct idea, however, generally: there is a connection between close proximity to a body of water and better mental and overall health.
1. Seawater helps with skin issues.
Magnesium, sodium, calcium, and sulfates are loaded with skin-healing minerals in seawater. They combat various skin conditions effectively, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and whatnot. Salt is a natural scrub that eliminates dead skin cells and leaves your skin softer than ever before. No wonder seawater is home to a large number of sources of anti-aging products.
2. Swimming lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
When we swim, because of the horizontal position, our blood is redirected from our limbs and peripheral organs and brought closer to our hearts. In the long run, this effect improves our overall blood circulation. It also slows our heart rate down and decreases our blood pressure. In fact, in the water, compared to a land workout like running, our heart rate is reduced by 5-6 beats per minute.
3. The sound of water helps us sleep better.
Due to 2 things: the waves and the air, we sleep more soundly around the water. In contrast to loud, sharp sounds like sirens or screams, our brain interprets the lapping of waves as an unthreatening sound, calming us into a very relaxed state. It can also boost serotonin and dopamine production, our feel-good hormones.
On the other hand, the air is charged with adverse ions that help the body absorb oxygen and control sleep patterns.
4. Water and sea air strengthens the immune system.
Open water swimming is not only a great way to increase your strength and endurance, but it can boost your immune system as well. The sea air strengthens your natural defenses and the iodine in the ocean spray helps regulate the metabolism, body development, and growth responsible for the thyroid gland.
5. The sea alleviates stress.
The sea’s stress-relieving power is legendary. The fresh air, the sound of waves, the mere sight of water, or a combination of all three, cause our levels of stress to decrease. Open water swimming can lead to an immediate improvement in mood in some instances and even help with severe mental health issues, such as depression.
6. Swimming creates a workout opportunity for everyone.
By definition, spending time in’ blue environments’ promotes physical activity, reducing the risks of diabetes and other obesity-related conditions. They’re very approachable as well. It can all benefit the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with arthritis, and those recovering from an injury. The stress on joints, bones, and muscles is reduced by water, so you are unlikely to hurt yourself.
Swimming keeps every muscle in your body busy irrespective of your style, from your forearms to your feet. And you don’t need to add weights, unlike land-based exercises, since the water’s resistance always pushes against your body, helping you build muscle strength.
7. It relieves sore muscles and joints.
Thanks to magnesium, which helps our body maintain normal muscle and nerve functions, salty seawater effectively relieves aches and pains. Water from the Dead Sea has even proved useful against arthritis. Ocean swimming also reduces arthritis pain and stiffness, as the water cuts the pressure of gravity that constricts the joint and provides sore limbs with 360-degree support.
How do you feel near bodies of water?
Preview photo credit Kim Kardashian West / instagram, Demi Lovato / instagram
