Today’s fast paced world sometimes prevents you from seeing how stressed you really are. The only time you become aware of this is when you relax. Constant high level of stress increases your cortisone and adrenaline levels (stress hormones) thus increasing the risk of getting cancer or cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart attack).
You can relax through exercising, i.e. swimming, or through other types of leisure activities such as playing team sports, watching a good movie or even getting involved in online gambling. Unlike what many people think, online gambling is safe if you pick the right website and it can boost your earnings as long as you play with moderation. You can register at Ladbrokes and enjoy high-quality services and a unique wagering environment.
The effects of swimming on mood
If you have a very demanding job or a stressful situation at home, it is essential to unwind. Those who suffer from depression will greatly benefit from swimming, or any kind of aerobic exercise for that matter. Considering that swimming is gentle on your body, it can be seen as a better option.
Regular 2-3km swimming workouts stimulate brain chemicals involved in nerve cell growth and affect serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter involved in obtaining a positive mood. This can have the same effect as depression medication that increases serotonin levels in your brain. You can call it a natural anti-depressant if you like. Either way, swimming decreases levels of depression and anxiety.
Time to relax
Apart form these changes that occur in the brain, there are important things that go on in skeletal muscles and lungs as well. The alternating stretch and relaxation of muscles combined with deep rhythmical breathing are at the core of many relaxation techniques. All these occur when swimming, hence the relaxation effect of this activity. You can see it as a much cheaper and more active type of relaxation therapy.
Moreover, focusing on your body movements and breathing, puts you in a state of mindfulness thus getting rid of negative thoughts and worries both during your workout and afterward.
Conclusion
To sum up, swimming allows you to have a break, to disconnect your mind from everyday life. For about an hour, it’s just you and the water. No kids to demand your attention, no boss to yell at you, no deadlines to meet, no people to ruin your good mood. We are not suggesting that this works for everybody but it certainly should be tried before turning to allopathic treatments for anxiety and depression.