Are you looking for a new way to have fun and get active this summer? The answer you’re looking for might be waiting for you at the community pool. Once you learn the benefits of swimming for seniors, you’ll be ready to dive right in!
Benefits of Swimming for Seniors
A proper exercise routine can help ease aches and pains, boost your appetite, and provide other benefits for seniors who participate. However, not every exercise is created equal, and some are better for seniors than others. For example, fitness experts agree that swimming is one of the best exercises that seniors can participate in. What are the benefits of swimming for seniors?
Swimming Can Help with Common Senior Ailments
Two of the most common senior health problems are bone health issues like osteoporosis and cardiovascular health issues like high blood pressure. One of the reasons swimming is a recommended activity for seniors is that it can help with both conditions. Swimming improves bone density, which can alleviate osteoporosis and help seniors avoid broken bones. And because swimming is a cardio workout, it will improve your overall heart health too.
Swimming Is Safe for Senior Bodies
One of the reasons that some exercises aren’t recommended for seniors is that they can hurt the body. Activities like jogging and weight-lifting can strain improperly trained joints, making them less than ideal for fitness beginners. However, because swimming takes place in the water, a swimmer’s joints are cushioned from serious impact. Swimming can provide a full-body workout without putting pressure on your hips, knees, or other sensitive areas. You’ll be able to break a sweat without breaking anything else.
Swimming Makes Seniors Stronger and More Flexible
Because swimming lets you exercise without putting strain on your joints, you can put your body to work safely. As a result, many seniors who swim notice improvements in their range of motion. Working out without straining your joints will make them more robust and flexible, which makes movement easier. Swimming is also a resistance exercise that puts your muscles to work in order to keep you afloat in the water. It will help you build lean muscles that will keep you strong and mobile, and that can help you maintain a healthy weight. If you make swimming a habit, you might even begin to notice some physical changes in the mirror that you’ll really appreciate.
Swimming Can Improve Your Mental Health
Speaking of self-esteem, swimming can have a positive effect on your mental health as well as your physical health. Regular exercise can boost your mood with endorphins and give you something to be proud of, which is an excellent source of self-esteem. Swimming is also a more social activity than other kinds of exercise, which means it can help you make friends and avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation. Swimming is as good for your brain as it is for the rest of your body.
_____
Now that you know the benefits of swimming for seniors, it’s time to hop on in! Check out your local community center for a class you can take or an open swim session.
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-266-3329 (Bartlett) or 901-854-6590 (Collierville). We look forward to meeting you!