Life is stressful. We get it. It doesn’t have to be, though. This is never more true than when you own a swimming pool or a hot tub or spa — or a combination of them!
Not only is swimming healthy, but it is peaceful as well. Have you ever enjoyed a night time swim? Swimming under the stars with only the lights from the pool to guide you is one of the best things you can do for your mental health before you go to sleep at night. Take it from us, we know!
If you’re not someone who simply wants to lie around poolside, you may want to swim laps. Laps are a repetitive motion exercise and these are not only relaxing, but healthful at the same time. Moving slowly through the water, swimming arm over arm or doing the breast stroke and focusing on your breathing can help lower your blood pressure and relax every muscle in your body.
Stressful Day: Swim It Away!
Swimming is healthy and relaxing but spending time in the water offers myriad benefits and here are a few that will have you slipping into your bathing suit and getting into the pool every single day.
Swim stress away
A temporary reprieve from anxiety can be found in the pool and in swimming laps. When you have the combination of the silken feeling of water against your skin, the buoyancy of the water and the heat of it — if it’s warm, that is — will help you find your bliss.
Swimming in heated water aids in the stress reduction you’ll find when swimming.
Better Zzzzzzsss
Do you toss and turn? Is your sleep punctuated by restlessness and wakefulness? It could be from stress at work or strife in the family or it could be just because you’re not getting enough activity.
If you don’t want to go jog around the blog, then jump in the pool and swim. You’ll be pleasantly tired and a good night’s sleep will beckon.
Address pain
Chronic pain can keep you tossing and turning all night. Finding a way to alleviate some of that pain may lead to a better night sleep and even a higher quality of life if you’re not faced with pain all day long.
Arthritis suffers and those with diabetes may find relief from aches and pains and with lower levels of pain you may sleep better.
A healthful glow
A soak in a hot tub can help release toxins from your body and that could make your skin look better. You may look healthier and younger just because you’re spending time in a hot tub!
Heart health and weight maintenance
Swimming improves heart function and lung capacity; that helps you feel better. When you feel better overall you are better equipped mentally and physically to deal with the stresses of life.
Did you know that swimming can help lower cholesterol levels and improve the health of your heart.
If losing weight is something you’ve been wanting to do but you just don’t feel healthy enough to start a routine at the gym or take to jogging around the neighborhood, swimming is something that your doctor will tell you is an ideal way to start out exercising.
Swimming away your stresses of the day can help you swim away some weight — if that is a goal.
Assure poolside stress relief success
Here are things to do to assure the pool is conducive to stress relief.
- Set the mood with lighting — in pool and candles
- Choose music that soothes your mind and body
- Hunger and relaxation don’t mix. Eat a light dinner before swimming.
- When swimming take long, slow strokes — you’re not trying to win a race.
- After in-pool time is over, wrap yourself up in a heated towel or a warm, fuzzy bathrobe. If it’s a warm summer night, wrap yourself in a silky light robe or blanket and lie back on a chaise and enjoy a glass of wine or tea
What are you waiting for? Set up your pool for relaxation success today!