Want a swimming pool in your backyard but struggling to justify the luxury in your budget?
Well, perhaps this read will help you reposition your dream pool from a luxury item to a must-have health benefit! Beyond just the obvious, swimming has so many health and wellbeing benefits. So, here are 5 good reasons to help justify your dream pool budget!
1. Swimming is one of the best low-impact cardio workouts
Ok, we’re starting with the obvious. We all know regular exercise is good for our health, and swimming is one of the best forms of exercise there is. Because water is denser than air, swimming requires far more physical effort across your limbs than walking or running does. Unlike the latter options, though, the pressure is evenly distributed across the body so you get the cardio hit you need without the negative impact on your knees, hips, and other joints. It also means that you’re using far more muscle groups at once than you would in other forms of cardio, so it’s the perfect full-body workout.
2. Swimming is good for your brain
Exercise, in general, is known to help memory and thinking skills. According to Harvard Medical School, this is due to its “ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors”. So why swimming over other forms of exercise? Well, it’s been shown to be better at increasing blood flow to the brain which can help repair damaged cells and improve brain function. Studies have also revealed that swimming promotes neurogenesis in the hippocampus and corpus callosum. In non-techy-terms, that means it helps to strengthen the memory and cognition parts of our brain, building new neural pathways to think better and remember more. Swimming also does wonders for our mental health. With a combination of the endorphin hit (the main hormone responsible for reducing stress and pain) and the calming and meditative experience of moving through water, swimming has been shown to increase mental relaxation, and help reduce anxiety and depression.
3. Swimming is good for your heart
Not just a winner on the brain, research shows that swimming is also good for your heart. Again, due to its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, a few laps of the pool or some fun aqua aerobics each day can assist in reducing the likelihood of fatty build-ups in your arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, which is a strong indicator for risk of heart disease. We’ll admit that this one applies to any form of aerobic exercise, but if you haven’t guessed it yet, we’re pretty big fans of the H2O type! Not keen on hitting the pool every day? Perhaps you could dust off the VCR and whack on one of those classic Jane Fonder VHS tapes for a drier aerobic workout in between swim sessions!
4. Swimming gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin D
Yes, there are some pretty whizz-bang gym workout machines these days that promise that perfect summer bod, but exercising in the confinement of four walls all the time means you’re missing out on the extra benefits of the great outdoors! Choosing the pool over the gym at least a few times a week gives you the chance for a healthy dose of Vitamin D, which helps you better absorb calcium and assists in immune system functioning, amongst other benefits. Throw in the added boost in serotonin (often referred to as the happy hormone) that the sun provides and you’re onto a great health hack. Of course, we encourage you to practise the all-important ‘slip-slap-slop’ regime and limit your exposure during times when UV light is at its strongest (lunch-time swims are best kept short or shaded), but some well-managed time in the sun is a wonderful mood booster and a great tablet-free, natural vitamin supplement.
5. Swimming is fun!
Ok, again, we get that we may as well have built the bandwagon for owning your own pool, but come on – who doesn’t love the feeling of cool water against the skin on a hot summer’s day, or the relaxing and therapeutic benefits of bathing in a heated pool? If you’re at all considering installing a pool then we’re going to guess you’re already on our bandwagon at least a little, and that you agree that splashing in the sun can be pretty fun! But why has “fun” made the cut for a blog about swimming health benefits, you ask? Because science tells us that having fun is actually good for us! When we experience positive emotions, we’re feeding one of the core pillars of wellbeing and if we attach that to enjoying the time with others, we’re getting double bang for our buck by fostering positive relationships, another core component of positive mental health. Don’t believe us or struggling to use this one with the money minder of the household? Check out the latest research in the science of happiness to learn more about proactive ways we can boost our mental health and wellbeing.
While the list could go on, we’re pretty confident that these 5 tips are sure to win over even the toughest of critics and keenest of penny-watchers. All that’s left to do now, is start planning your dream pool design! Keen for some inspo? Check out our article on 3 Tips To Kickstart Your Dream Pool Planning and be sure to give our Dream Team a call on 02 6584 0844 so we can help turn your pool dreams into reality.
Please note, this article is for general information only and not designed to provide medical advice. While we have done our best to accurately substantiate health benefit claims, and point valid scientific sources, we recommend you do your own research and consult with your doctor before trying any new form of physical exercise.