6 Surprising Health Benefits of Swimming in the Ocean

Have you ever been to a beach and became utterly in awe of the ocean? Its enormous size, power, and beauty make it one of Earth’s most brilliant forces.

The five large ocean basins collectively cover seventy-one percent of the Earth’s surface. So, while humans might think they run the planet, it’s really the ocean, holding over 1.3 billion cubic kilometers of water. 

The ocean offers so much, and you may be surprised to learn that there are even more advantages than just being able to appreciate its beauty. In fact, there are several health benefits of swimming in the ocean that you may not be aware of. If you’re looking to explore all the ocean can give you while swimming in its waters, keep reading to learn these six benefits. 

1. Improved Mental Health 

Having improved mental health is one of the most significant health benefits of swimming in the ocean. Swimming, in general, is known to increase the production of beta-endorphins, which are known as the molecules that make you feel happy. Because of this, swimming is thought to reduce both anxiety and depression.

When you combine that with swimming specifically in the ocean, you also get the meditative effects of swimming in cold water, swimming with the rocking of waves, and being outside immersed in nature. 

Swimming in cold water forces your mind to slow down because it shocks your body, and you have to focus on your breathing and be in the moment. This promotes mindfulness and can be its own form of meditation. This is especially good for those who experience anxiety and need to focus their thoughts on the present moment.

Being in nature and feeling the rocking waves reduces stress levels, which also reduces anxiety and depression. Because of this, allowing yourself to connect with nature in the ocean can be more beneficial than swimming in a pool. 

2. Better Sleep

Tied together with better mental health, one benefit of sea swimming is getting better sleep. Swimming in open water, and specifically the ocean, stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system. 

This system is triggered to keep your body from becoming overworked, allowing it to come back down to a calm and relaxed state. Because you are exerting your body more than normal when swimming in the ocean, this system is put in place. The result is your body having a profoundly relaxed feeling that lasts long after you are out of the water and promotes a night of deep sleep. 

3. Immune System Boost

Having a boost to your immune system is something most people are looking for. Swimming in the ocean means encountering more germs and experiencing the shock of swimming in cold water. Both of these things can benefit you if you take the right precautions, such as getting your vaccines beforehand and making sure you wear the proper gear.

Regularly swimming in cold water helps to regulate natural antioxidant processes in your body, which can reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease. And, ocean water specifically holds trace elements of anti-bacterial properties, which can act as natural antibiotics, boosting your immune system and your body’s overall well being. 

4. Cold Water Remedy

As stated previously, swimming in cold water holds countless advantages you’ve probably never considered. Besides the previously mentioned benefits, cold water swimming can reduce muscle pain as it can reduce inflammation. This is similar to why ice baths are used after hard workouts. 

Cold water is also known to improve circulation and blood flow throughout the body. It naturally helps your body deliver oxygen to your body’s vital organs and aids nutrients in traveling to the surface of your body, which provides a healthy glow. 

5. Skin Enrichment

The natural minerals that are in the ocean are one of the best reasons to go swimming. The minerals include magnesium, sodium, calcium, and sulfate, to name a few. These act as natural cosmetics and can work as a part of a natural skincare routine.

A lot of those minerals are in beauty products today. Those with eczema or psoriasis are especially encouraged to swim in the ocean because it is proven to increase skin hydration and relieve uncomfortable symptoms. 

Along with this, the magnesium in ocean water is proven to lower cortisol levels in the body, which can prevent stress-induced breakouts on the skin. 

6. Full Body Workout 

There are so many physical benefits of swimming because it works out your entire body without any added impact stress on your joints. This makes it great for those with arthritis, as well as anyone that is looking for an enjoyable physical activity. 

Swimming helps to build up your body’s endurance because you move your whole body against the water’s resistance. It keeps your heart rate up and helps to promote cardiovascular fitness, and increases your muscle strength. It’s also one of the most relaxing ways to work out your entire body at once.

Seawater swimming is also known to help with weight management because of the “brown fat” activated by cold water. Brown fat keeps your body warm, so as it attempts to raise your body’s temperature, it’s also burning through calories quickly.

Benefits of Swimming in the Ocean

The benefits of swimming in the ocean are not slim by any means. Swimming in the ocean improves both your mind and body, and it’s an enjoyable activity. Unlike many other workouts, skincare routines, mental health activities, or even physical therapies, swimming is something that is exciting and fun with the added bonus of keeping you healthy.

So what are you waiting for? Find the closest ocean to you and reap the benefits of cold water swimming! Then, if you found this article helpful, check out more of our variety of articles today. 

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