Health Benefits of Swimming in the Ocean

If you are planning to go to the oceanside this summer, try to spend as much time swimming. In addition to cooling off from the summer heat, swimming in the ocean has numerous health benefits.

Throughout history, doctors have advised people suffering from a number of diseases to go to the oceanside. Therefore, below there are the top 5 health benefits of the ocean:

1. Wounds and various skin diseases

Salt water differs significantly from river water in the amount of minerals, including salt, chlorine, sulfate, magnesium and calcium. Because of this, salt water works great in treating psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease that manifests through the bumpy red patches on the skin.

People suffering from psoriasis will feel better after swimming in the ocean. As well, exposure to the sun has been confirmed to have a positive effect on psoriasis.

Another health benefit of the ocean is treating eczema, another skin disease. But people suffering from eczema often react differently to salt water: some find it soothing, others uncomfortable. There is research made to support the idea that the magnesium from salt water has a beneficial effect on eczema sufferers, because magnesium improves the hydration of the skin.

Furthermore, the ocean is rich with minerals such as sodium and iodine, so ocean water can be considered as an antiseptic, meaning it can have healing properties. On the other hand, swimming in the ocean with open wounds can cause bacterial infections.

2. Hay fever and sinusitis

Swimming in the ocean is associated with reduced symptoms of hay fever and sinusitis, as well as other respiratory symptoms. The reason for this is the fact that salt affects sinus mucosa and reduces inflammation.

Experts claim that people who live by the ocean and regularly swim have a healthier respiratory system because sea water cleanses and mimics the body’s own fluids in the lining of airways without irritating them.

3. Meditation and relaxation

One of health benefits of the ocean is that swimming in the ocean can be relaxing, meditative and reduce stress. It has been confirmed that people are in a meditative and relaxed state when they are in the water. One reason is the breathing technique used during swimming and diving. They stimulate our nervous system and positively affect our brain.

Feeling weightless in the water can also have a calming effect on the mind and it can help distract thoughts from stressful life, as well to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

4. Cold water therapy

Here I will focus on the health benefits of swimming in colder ocean water. In general, swimming in cold water activates receptors under our skin that release hormones such as endorphins, adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones have a therapeutic effect on different musculoskeletal conditions – such as fibromyalgia, stiffness, sprains, strains, tears and other chronic conditions.

The effect of repeated exposure to cold water has a positive affect on our parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to stimulate digestion, activate metabolism, and help the body relax.

Swimming in the colder ocean will burn more calories to maintain body temperature and it may boost the body’s immune system.

From all the above, it is clear that swimming in the ocean has a number of positive effects on overall health, so you can make the most of your vacation, if you are at the oceanside, to swim and enjoy the health benefits of the ocean.