Everyone knows that water sports are a great way to get active and have some fun in the process. But did you know that they offer a variety of incredible health benefits as well? From staying hydrated and improving your cardiovascular health to strengthening your joints and improving your flexibility, you should check out these eight health benefits you get from water sports. If the fun element of water sports is not enough to motivate you to try them out, these 8 health benefits will surely inspire you to get out into the water!
1. Hydration
First, let’s talk about how water sports help you to stay hydrated. When you are doing water sports, such as kayaking or paddle boarding, you need to keep your body fluids replenished. When you are sweating, your body is losing water and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration.
This is your body’s way of reminding you to drink water regularly. By drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated, you can prevent dehydration and keep your body functioning properly. Water sports remind you to look after yourself properly.
2. Cardiovascular Health
Water sports are also an excellent way to improve your cardiovascular health (the health of your heart and lungs). Swimming, surfing, canoeing, and jet skiing, for instance, are all great exercises for a healthy heart.
Keeping fit in this way increases your heart and lung function and reduces your risk of getting heart disease. You will reduce your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels by exercising in the water. So next time you are looking for a workout, consider heading to the water! Your heart will thank you.
3. Weight Loss
When you work on your cardiovascular health, your body burns calories faster. This means that water sports are a great way to lose weight and get in shape. Swimming is a low-impact workout that is easy on your joints and muscles, and it also burns a ton of calories. If you want a more intense workout, you can try kayaking, paddle boarding or any other water sport that brings you joy.
Not only do water sports help with weight loss, but they also increase your endurance and stamina. This means you will be able to keep going longer and, as a result, burn even more calories.
4. Joint Health
Water sports can improve your joint health by increasing the range of motion in your joints and improving the strength of the muscles around your joints. The stronger the muscles around your joints are, the more stable your joints will be. Experts at Water Sports Whiz will tell you that SUP paddle boarding, for instance, is a great workout not only for your arms but your legs and abs too. The more muscle groups you work, the stronger you will be in general and the better off your joints will be. Water sports can also help to reduce inflammation in your joints, which can lead to pain relief.
5. Flexibility
Water sports are a great way to improve your flexibility. When you swim, you use all of your major muscle groups and joints, which helps to stretch and lengthen them. This can lead to an increased range of motion and decreased risk of injury.
A great activity for flexibility training on the water is stand-up paddle boarding yoga. Doing yoga on a board is a brilliant way to build your flexibility while you also work your muscles much harder than you would on land. This is because they are trying extra hard to stay balanced.
6. Balance and Coordination
That being said, water sports are a great way to improve your balance and coordination. Activities like paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, and even just swimming can all train your body to be more coordinated and work harder to stay upright.
By working against the resistance of the water, you can help to improve your proprioception, or the ability to sense the position of your body in space, and your kinesthetic awareness, which is the ability to feel the movement of your body. These skills can lead to improved balance and coordination on land as well.
7. Vitamin D Exposure
Yet another benefit of taking part in water activities is that they are generally outdoor activities. This means you get natural and vital exposure to the sun, which can help both your physical and mental health.
Getting sun exposure while you are out on the water helps your body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for healthy living. Vitamin D is important for strong bones, healthy skin, and proper immune system function. Sun exposure in general can also lift your mood and help you to sleep at night.
8. Mental Health
Finally, water sports are excellent for your mental well-being. Getting out in the fresh air and sun will clear your head, allow you to relax, and get in touch with nature. Moreover, doing exercise, light or heavy, causes your body to produce endorphins. These proteins release a feeling of happiness into the body, as they are linked to pleasure centres in the brain.
Water sports are also a great way to reduce stress and tension. If you put all of your energy into something, like surfing or paddling, you can release any built-up tension or frustration in your body and mind. Lastly, water sports are generally social activities, and experiencing the natural beauty and thrill of the activity with a friend or family member can be incredibly rewarding for your mind.
Now that you know 8 of the main ways that water sports can benefit your health, both physical and mental, hopefully, you are ready to take the plunge and get into the water. We have discussed how water sports, such as SUP paddle boarding, kayaking, and surfing, can remind you to stay hydrated. They are also great ways to keep your cardiovascular health strong and boost weight loss.
Moreover, water sports are excellent for your muscle strength and joint health. If that is not reason enough to take up a water sport today, remember they can also improve your flexibility, balance, and coordination. Lastly, you will be exposed to the sun and fresh air, which will improve your vitamin D levels and your mental health. What more could you want?
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