10 Benefits of Swimming

1. You just might Live Longer

     Research have shown that those who swim had a 50 percent lower death ratethan runners, walkers or men who got no exercise. The research scientist have concluded that the same benefits would be recieved by Aqua women as well as men.

2. Lower Stress, Higher Spirits, and Better brain

    Swimming aids in the release of the feel good chemicals known as Endorphins- one of swimming's most pleasant side effects. In addition to a natural high swimming can also evoke the relaxation response similar to the way Yoga works on the body. This is due in large part to the constant stretching and relaxing of your muscles combined with deep rhythmic breathing. Swimming is also a meditative exercise, with the sound of your own breathing and the splash of the water acting as a mantra of sorts that can help you "Drown out" all other distractions.

Aside from the metaphysical benefits of swimming, research have shown that  it can actually change the brain for the better through a process known as Hippocampal Neurogenesis, in which the brain replaces cells lost through stress.

3. Lower Risk of Diabetes

    When it comes to warding off diabetes there are few prescriptions as powerful as aerobic exercise. According to american diabetes association, diabetics should get 150 minutes per week, spread across at least three days per week, of moderate- intensity physical activity like swimming to aid glycaemic control

4. Improved Cholesterol

    Being healthy is more about having the right ratio of cholesterol in your body than just having low amounts of the stuff in your blood.. Specifically it is beneficial to have higher levels of "Good" cholesterol (HDL) and lower levels of LDL, "Bad" cholesterol

Swimming can get these levels in the right balance thanks to its aerobic power, which has been proven to raise HDL levels. And for every 1% increase in HDL reduces the risk of dying from heart disease drops by 3.5 percent

5. Improved Asthma Symptoms

    Unlike exercising in dry air of the gym, or contending with seasonal allergies or frigid winter air, swimming provides the chance to work in moist air, which can help reduce exercise- induced asthma symptoms. Even those Asthma could benefit from swimmingm say the study's authors, as the exercise can increase lung volume.

6. Weight Control.

    Swimming is considered as one of the best and most efficient calorie burner around, and it is great for keeping weight under control. As a general rule every 10 minutes of swimming

a. Breast stroke- 60 Calories

b. Backstroke- 80 Calories

c. Freestyle- 100 Calories

d. Butterfly stroke- 150 Calories

7. A Healthier Heart

   In addition to toning visible muscles like pectorals, triceps and quads, swimming also helps improve the most important muscle in our bodies: the heart.

Because swimming is an aerobic exerccise, it serves to strengthen the heart, not only helping it to become larger, but making it more efficient in pumping; leading to better blood flow through out the body.Research evidence is also pointing that aerobic exercise can combat the body's inflammatory response as well.

8. Improved Flexibility.

    Unlike exercise machines in a gym, that tend to isolate one body part at a time (like a biceps curl machine, for example), swimming puts the body through a broad range if motion that helps joints and ligaments stay loose and flexible. The arms move in wide arcs, the hips are engaged as the legs scissor through the water, and the head and spine twist from side to side. Plus, with every stroke, as you reach forward, you're lengthening the body, which not only makes it more efficient in the water, it also helps give you a good stretch from head to toe.

9. Increased muscle tone and Strength

    Swimming simply is a great way to increase muscular strength and muscle tone-especially compared to several other aerobic exercise. Take running, for example. When a jogger takes a few laps around the track, that jogger is only moving his or her body through air. A swimmer, on the other hand, is propelling himself through water-- a substance about twelve times as dense  as air. That means that every kick and every arm stroke becomes a resistance exercise-- and its well known that resistance are the best way to build muscle tone and strength.

Yet another bonus of a watery workout: swimming has also been shown to improve bone strength-- especially in post-menopausal women.

10. The ability to do more with less

      Swimming offers something that no other aerobic exercise does: theability to work your body without harsh impact to your skeletal system. When the human body is submerged in water, it automatically becomes lighter. When immersed to the waist, your body bears just 50 percent of its weight and that number reduces to around 25-35 percent; with water all the way to the neck, you only have to bear 10 percent of your own weight.