Benefits of Swimming for Mental Health
With a great deal of focus being put on Mental Health Awareness recently we decided it would be the perfect time to concentrate on how swimming can help support with Mental Health and the main benefits that it can have! Most medical experts agree that any type of physical activity can have a positive effect on mental health and wellbeing, by according to recent studies by Swim England, swimming can be particularly effective.
Here are 5 of the top benefits of swimming for Mental health:
- Release endorphins
Like all exercise, swimming releases endorphins in your brain. These natural happy hormones can increase positivity and help bring about a sense of wellbeing!
- Improve your overall mood and energy levels
A recent study has shown that being immersed in water improves blood flow to the brain, increasing blood flow to the brain providing a positive impact on the brain. Swimming also helps to tone your body and can help give you increased confidence. Just 30 minutes of swimming, three times a week can help maintain a positive mental outlook and give you more energy.
- Lower stress levels
The consistent, meditative repetition of swimming and breathing can help relax and de-stress in a similar way to yoga. By relaxing your body, you can also relax your mind, soothing anxiety and signs of depression.
- Improve sleep
As with most exercise swimming can have a great impact on the quality of sleep. Swimming uses all the major muscle groups in your body, and water requires more work to move through it than air, so essentially swimming burns more calories, meaning you will feel more physically tired. As well as the physical tiredness induced through swimming, the relaxation and reduced stress levels will also contribute to a better night’s sleep. So ultimately, swim more, sleep better!
- Improve social skills
Swimming is an exercise you can do by yourself, giving you the freedom to pick and choose when you go, however swimming can be a very social activity, with leisure centres and swimming pools being a hub for the community and socialising. This atmosphere in turn can help build self-confidence through building new friendships. Swim England found that children that swim regularly with a class develop cognitive and social skills quicker than those that don’t.
If you’re looking for swimming lessons in your area or would like to learn more about the different styles of lessons that we have please get in touch with the team on – info@carolsaundersswimschool.co.uk
