Nichols, author of the best-selling book Blue Mind, says, As water makes up 70 percent of our bodies and covers about 75 percent of the earth’s surface, our brains have an immediate positive response when we’re near water. This leads to a feeling of wellness and peace when we are in or around bodies of water. This science tells us that as humans, we are naturally drawn to blue space. “ Blue Mind” is a term associated with water-related calm and peace. The beautiful Icebergs – Bondi Beach, Photo Courtesy: Erin Himes The nutrient supply to the brain also increases, which proves that swimming can actually effectively combat mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. This means that the hippocampus can grow with exercise, increasing the brain’s oxygen supply. Studies in other animals show convincingly that exercise leads to the creation of new hippocampal neurons (neurogenesis), with preliminary evidence suggesting this is also true in humans.” – Sarah Gingell “Of critical importance for mental health is the hippocampus-an area of the brain involved in memory, emotion regulation, and learning. A Psychology Today article details this finding. Studies have also shown that swimming can reverse brain damage from stress via hippocampal neurogenesis (i.e. This improves memory, mood, concentration and cognitive function in general. al showed that just immersing yourself in water increases blood flow to the brain. It’s the ideal workout for people who forget to breathe properly, as it encourages you to open up your lungs and inhale and exhale evenly.” -Press Association, Irish Examiner 4.
“Swimming styles like freestyle can help to regulate your breath, as you’re forced to take long, deep breaths in order to immerse your head beneath the water while cycling through the stroke. This in turn can help in lowering blood pressure, eliminating toxins from the body, and assisting in relaxation. It is a great workout for your lungs, as it forces you to inhale and exhale evenly. However, the breathing pattern in swimming ensures that you take in enough air that can prevent the possibility of such attacks. This can lead to hyperventilation and possibly morph into a panic attack. When you’re stressed or panicked, you tend to take in shallower and more rapid breaths. The ability to regulate your breathing is an integral aspect of swimming. Katie Ledecky’s breath control in a race, Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona exercising) has deep mental health benefits and helps your body respond better to stress in general. Research has also proven that regularly getting those feel-good hormones flowing (a.k.a. Along with serotonin, endorphins bring about a sense of happiness, positivity and well-being. These endorphins interact with receptors in our brain that reduce our perception of pain. Endorphins are hormones produced in the pituitary gland in response to stress or pain, kind of like a natural analgesic. Endorphins and SerotoninĪny form of exercise, including swimming, causes the release of endorphins. The direct effect that swimming has on our brain leads to several mental health benefits, a few of which are explained below. It can act as an effective medicine for treating anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. Swimming regularly has a deeply positive impact on our mental health as well. Through the sport, we find friends who will always have our backs and make memories that will last a lifetime. The sport of swimming itself teaches us lessons that extend far beyond the pool: teamwork, dedication, and will power to name a few.
The increased blood flow strengthens the heart, increases aerobic capacity and makes our muscles stronger and more efficient. But there are additional benefits that you may not be aware of that extend beyond the obvious. Researchers have found that swimming promotes both physical and mental well-being this isn’t news to anyone who regularly frequents the pool deck. Go for a Swim for These 6 Mental Health Benefits
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