Discover How Swimming Lowers Stress Hormones
If you're a senior struggling with stress, you're far from alone. According to the American Institute of Stress, 44% of adults aged 50-80 feel stressed. Additionally, anxiety affects many people and can reduce your enjoyment of life.
A measure of stress is a normal part of life. However, feeling constantly stressed is unhealthy and can lead to a wide range of health problems. Many seniors have discovered that swimming is a great way to reduce stress hormones naturally and boost your physical health at the same time.
Below, we'll answer the question: How does swimming reduce stress and anxiety?
Understanding Stress Hormones
We often think of stress as a result of external factors. Financial challenges, family concerns, and ill health can all cause long-term stress. However, it's important to understand how our bodies respond to stressors to understand the benefits of swimming for stress.
The body produces stress hormones, mainly cortisol, in the adrenal glands. When we experience stress or undertake physical activities, our bodies release controlled amounts of cortisol. At the right levels, cortisol is essential for helping us manage stress on a daily basis.
However, when we experience long-term stress, our bodies may produce too much cortisol, and this can cause the health issues listed below.
Mental Fatigue and Depression
We may not be physically tired, but our brains may be exhausted. According to the Mayo Clinic, when our bodies experience too much cortisol exposure or repeated activation of the stress response system, we can develop the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Concentration problems
- Sleep problems
Physical Consequences
The Mayo Clinic goes on to explain that aside from mental health challenges, too many stress hormones can also cause the following physical problems:
- Digestive issues
- Muscular tension
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Weight gain
- Headaches
The positive news is that it is possible to learn to react to stress in a healthy way. One of the best things we can do is discover effective stress-reduction exercises that we enjoy. For many people, swimming is the perfect form of exercise for stress relief.
The Many Benefits of Swimming for Seniors
Swimming could be the perfect form of exercise for many seniors. As we will see, it helps reduce stress and anxiety and is very beneficial for physical health.
Low Impact
Many seniors struggle with aching joints due to arthritis and other painful conditions. However, Harvard Health Publishing reported that swimming can do the following:
- Help joint flexibility
- Increase mobility
- Reduce stiffness
Improve Balance and Stability
Mobility issues and falls are bad for more than just our physical health. They can also affect our mental well-being, making us anxious about undertaking regular activities.
If we live in an assisted living community, we have the extra reassurance of having caretakers on hand 24/7. But swimming could help us address the root cause of falls: balance and stability issues.
An Australian study examined the link between swimming and falls. It found that men who swam were 33% less likely to have a fall than those who did not. Interestingly, the same results did not come from other forms of exercise, just from swimming.
How Does Swimming Reduce Stress and Anxiety?
The link between swimming and mental health benefits starts at the hormonal level. Not only does it reduce cortisol, but it can also stimulate the release of hormones that help us feel good.
Releases Endorphins
Swimming can help seniors relieve stress because it causes the body to release endorphins. These feel-good hormones have a powerful effect on our brains. They can boost our energy and give us a general feeling of greater well-being.
Relaxing Movements
Swimming involves making long, graceful movements with our body. These movements are very healthy for the brain. As well as stimulating the release of endorphins and serotonin, they can also promote nerve cell growth, which is healthy at any age!
Aside from the scientifically proven benefits, there is the fact that simply being immersed in water and stretching your body can help you feel better. When you do this regularly, it could help you to unwind. As with other activities, if you can get others to join you, you'll also experience social benefits.
Improved Cognitive Function
A study found that swimming had a positive impact on cognitive function. It could help seniors remain mentally agile. And the best part is that you do not need to swim for hours to get the benefits.
The study found that just 20 minutes of moderate-intensity swimming regularly was enough to confer long-term cognitive health benefits.
Breaks Up Our Routine
It could be easy to get into sedentary routines as we get older. The less exercise we get, the harder we may find it to move around. However, if we swim regularly, this can help break up our routine, get us away from our chairs and screens, and into a different world of relaxation and enjoyment.
Better Sleep
The better we sleep, the better our mental health is likely to be. Swimming promotes restful sleep by burning calories and working all our major muscle groups. It relaxes both the body and mind, making it easier to drift off at night.
Enjoy an Active Lifestyle at Bennett Place Assisted Living
Now that we've answered the question "How does swimming reduce stress and anxiety?", you're probably keen to give it a try! The fact is that swimming is just one of many activities that can have a beneficial effect on our stress levels. If stress relief through swimming is not possible for you, rest assured that there are many activities you can enjoy at Bennett Place Assisted Living.
At our inviting community in New Albany, IN, senior wellness is at the heart of everything we do. Each day, there are opportunities to get the blood pumping with diverse activities tailored to seniors' needs. You can enjoy reduced stress levels as you keep fit among friends.
Now is the time to explore our community and see what all the fuss is about! Contact us today to learn more and schedule a visit.