The benefits of swimming

Visit the M Hotel pool on any given weekday morning, and chances are, you’ll see a familiar face doing his laps with both discipline and grace. Patrick Tan, the founder of JNP and avid proponent of holistic healthcare, has been a regular patron of the hotel’s Xth floor for the past few months. Previously an occasional swimmer, he has lately upped his regime to a daily, if not, alternate day affair.

The funny thing about Patrick however, is that despite his seemingly compulsive attraction to the pool, swimming does not rank among his favourite exercises. He would rather be on a basketball court with his colleagues or sparring with his fellow martial artistes. He admittedly enjoys those sports far more than swimming; yet he does his laps much more frequently than he slam dunks or throws controlled punches.

This, according to Patrick, is because of the advice he received from his TCM chiropractor after spraining his ankle a few months back. Temporarily curtailed from high-impact activities, swimming was the obvious and perfect alternative. And like everything else Patrick does, he has thrown himself into the pool with verve and enthusiasm. Swimming, as is well known, builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular health. It is thus a terrific all-rounded exercise that can be both therapeutic and efficient.

Swimming provides individuals with several physical, social and mental benefits. These include improved strength and flexibility, enhanced muscular stamina and balance, a stronger heart, and better physique or figure. Apart from this, swimming also works as a fast and effective remedy for healing muscles.

Swimming also helps in weight control and can relieve your mind from stress and tension, fueling your energy level to a large extent. This is will keep you in ideal shape, physically as well as mentally.

Regular laps in the pool can be very beneficial to your heart, lungs, and muscles, building up strength and stamina, and also improves posture and flexibility.

For individuals who are obese, or individuals suffering from leg or lower back problems, this activity offers some aerobic benefits and unlike other weight training programs, swimming does not put strain on connective tissues.

As for being a muscle-healing activity, swimming can gradually increase your heart rate and stimulate your muscle activity, improving blood circulation through your muscles to help them recover, and help you relax as you glide through the water.

Research also suggests that pregnant women benefit the most from swimming. It makes their abdominal muscles strong, which are most essential when carrying a baby. In addition, it strengthens the back and the muscles that help post-mastectomy women carry their weight more easily. According to experts, exercising in water can considerably reduce joint stiffness, high blood pressure, and discomfort, which is often associated with pregnancy.

Many swimmers even find an indirect benefit form swimming. They develop life skills such as sportsmanship, time-management, self-discipline, goal-setting, and an increased sense of self-worth through their participation in the sport. A study has even shown that swimmers seem to do better in school, in general terms, than non-swimmers as a group.

So if you aren’t already a regular swimmer, take a cue from Patrick and take the plunge. You’ll be lapping up its remarkable health benefits with every lap you take!