{"id":28507,"date":"2023-06-05T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/?p=28507"},"modified":"2023-06-30T13:30:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T13:30:23","slug":"benefits-of-swimming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/benefits-of-swimming\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sleep and Health Benefits of Swimming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the best ways to get a good night\u2019s sleep involves a day complete with some form of exercise or physical activity. Whether you enjoy hiking, practicing yoga<\/a>, or walking, daily activity and movement are a wonderful way to ensure a comfortable and cozy night of sleep. Another fantastic exercise that comes with sleep benefits is swimming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>, swimming is the fourth most popular sport activity in the US, and it’s no wonder why. The benefits of swimming go far beyond working your body from head to toe. Besides being a great workout for people with injuries, the health benefits of swimming can also include a better night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will answer the question of what are the benefits of swimming as well as explore how a regular swimming routine can help to improve your sleep. Consider this another nugget of sleep wisdom to help you achieve sleep enlightenment, aka your best night of sleep ever. (Your REM cycle will thank you.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of swimming for sleep and health<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In general, exercise is known to improve sleep quality because it decreases stress, improves energy balance, and increases the body\u2019s feel-good hormones. Based on existing research, there’s solid evidence that exercise can help you fall asleep faster and improve your overall sleep quality, notes John Hopkins Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, a 2017 systematic review published in the journal Advances in Preventive Medicine<\/em><\/a> notes there is mounting evidence that physical exercise is an effective intervention for those who don’t experience adequate sleep quantity or quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what about swimming? What are the benefits of swimming for better sleep? Are there any specific health benefits of swimming that can help to improve the quality of your sleep?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming has been shown to help improve mood, manage anxiety<\/a> and stress<\/a>, and even ease pain associated with certain health conditions, such as arthritis<\/a>, dementia<\/a>, and osteoarthritis<\/a>\u2014all of which can lead to better sleep.

\u201cBetter sleep can result from swimming because it is a form of exercise that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and releases endorphins,\u201d shares Tonya Mcintosh, personal trainer at TGFFitness<\/a>. \u201cSwimming also works various muscle groups gently, helping to ease tension and discomfort that may affect sleep. Moreover, the water’s cooling effect during exercise assists in regulating body temperature, contributing to deeper, more restful sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to make swimming part of your routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After learning about the many health benefits of swimming, you might be wondering: How can you incorporate swimming into your regular routine for improved sleep? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n