Summer Outdoor Activities

Swimming

Summer season means sunshine, and for many people, time to take a dip in the pool. Just like walking and running, swimming not only improves your aerobic fitness but also comes with a myriad of other health benefits. What is even more interesting about this summer activity is that it is easy on your joints and muscles, meaning you can be able to exercise longer in water than on land. It is good for both children and adults. If you swim regularly, your core muscles get stronger and your risks of falling are minimized. If you’re suffering from arthritis, swimming may be ideal for you as it increases joint usability without necessarily worsening the symptoms of your condition.

For those athletes who want to take their swimming to the next level, summer swimming works great. Summers can convert yards into miles in a matter of days. Due to hot conditions, you will be able to stay in water longer, swimming and getting your body accustomed to intense swimming. If you have a tournament ahead of you, there is no better way to prepare for it than swim during the summer. Just be sure to work on your legs, control your breathing, and remain focused; a gold medal may be waiting for you, you never know!

When swimming, there are important safety tips to observe to ensure you don’t look like a novice. Don’t swallow pool water. Are you aware that a swimming pool is a community bathtub? The answer is “yes” even though a swimming pool lacks shampoo. Chlorine does not instantly kill germs in the pool water. As a matter of fact, cryptosporidium, a common germ responsible for gastrointestinal illnesses associated with water, is impervious to chlorine. So, make no mistake of quenching your thirst with pool water.

Protect your nose each time you jump into the water. If it is not treated, freshwater can have nasty microbes, including Naegleria fowleri, which is a “brain-eating” deadly amoeba. This organism can enter your sinuses and find its way into the brain. Once the amoeba gets into your brain, your doctor may not do much to help the situation. Hence, you must follow this tip to a tee; warm fresh water poses the highest risk. Remember, any summer outdoor activity (swimming included) should bring maximum comfort and keep you healthy.

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