Swimming: Benefits and Safety Tips That You Should Know

Who doesn't love swimming? It seems like almost everyone, from kids to adults, enjoys this sport, right? What’s more, once you’re good at swimming, you’ll usually want to swim regularly, sometimes almost every day. How about you? Is this true for you, too?

Benefits of Swimming

It’s not without reason—swimming doesn’t just refresh your body, it’s also great for your health. What are the benefits? Check it out right below!

Weight Loss

Swimming can be a physical exercise alternative for people with obesity. That's because swimming can help with weight loss. In fact, swimming for about an hour can burn from 500 to 600 calories. Not only that, swimming can also reduce belly fat, slim down your calves, and more.

Healthier Heart

According to Klik Dokter, the heart’s main function is to pump blood throughout the body, delivering nutrients and oxygen to organs, tissues and cells. If this blood flow is blocked, it can potentially lead to heart disease. Swimming helps improve and distribute blood flow throughout the body.

Reduce Stress

Feeling stressed from endless deadlines and never-ending work? Don't let stress settle in, it can raise your risk of health problems. That’s why swimming is recommended—it’s great for helping relieve stress. That’s because swimming helps your body relax.

Improve Sleep Quality

Having trouble sleeping at night? You can try swimming because it can help improve your sleep quality. This happens because swimming triggers the release of endorphins—hormones that boost your mood and reduce anxiety and stress, which often cause sleep difficulties. Besides that, swimming also helps increase blood flow to the brain, making your sleep deeper and more restful.

Swimming Safety Tips

Do you want to experience the benefits of swimming? To stay safe while swimming, you can follow these simple tips:

How Deep is the Pool? Check Before You Jump!

Before swimming, it’s best to check the pool’s depth first. This check is important, especially if you’re a beginner. Usually, pool depths vary from 50 cm, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m, 4 m, and even deeper. For safety, it’s best to choose a pool that’s not too deep.

Warm Up? Must Do!

Just like with other sports, warming up before swimming is a must. This helps make your muscles more flexible and reduces the risk of injury. Warming up doesn't need to take long—10 to 15 minutes is enough. Try hip exercises, shoulder and back stretches, or even a short walk around the pool.

Swimming Gear? Prepare It!

For extra safety, get your swimming essentials ready before you hit the water. For example, when it comes to swimwear, it's better to choose polyester or rubber materials—they’re more comfortable for swimming than cotton, which tends to absorb too much water. Aside from swimwear, don’t forget to prepare other essentials like a swim cap, floatation devices, goggles, and more.

Cool Down? Don’t Skip It After Swimming!

After swimming, it’s a good idea to cool down right away. Cooling down helps reduce lactic acid buildup that can cause muscle cramps, speeds up muscle recovery, prevents injuries and more. To cool down, you can do some light swimming by gradually slowing down your pace, followed by stretching, a gentle massage and some rest.

That’s a wrap on the great benefits swimming offers, plus some handy tips to keep you safe and avoid any unwanted surprises while you’re in the water. So, to keep your mind at ease while swimming, it’s best to protect yourself with Sport Insurance from MSIG Indonesia. 

This insurance product protects you while doing your favorite sport, covering medical expenses and losses from stolen or damaged belongings in case of risks. Let’s get a Sport insurance from MSIG Indonesia to keep you covered while swimming!