Six Amazing Health Benefits of Swimming in the Sea

Six Amazing Health Benefits of Swimming in the Sea

​We’ve all experienced that amazingly good feeling after a swim in the ocean. The exercise and cool water is refreshing and invigorating, but it’s more than that, a very different feeling to swimming in an indoors chlorinated pool. There are many reasons for this difference. Sea water has been used for healing throughout history. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, evokes the beneficial effects of seawater in his Treaty of Medicine.  The word for sea water therapy is thalassotherapy, from the Greek “Thalassa” meaning sea. Thalassotherapy health spas, in which heated seawater and other sea treatments are used therapeutically, have been around since the 1800’s. 

There are still thalassotherapy health spas today, mostly in Europe and Africa. Seaweed or mud wraps are available at most modern-day spas. For us lucky ones who live on the beautiful Southeast Coast of Australia we suggest you simply jump in the ocean!
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​Six Amazing Health Benefits of Swimming in the Sea

1. Essential nutrients are absorbed through skin
   As well as excreting sweat and wastes, our skin also absorbs nutrients from the environment. Interestingly, seawater has a similar composition to our blood plasma. It is believed that minerals and other micro substances are absorbed by the skin through the process of osmosis. Sea water is rich in vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements, amino acids and living microorganisms which secrete antibiotic, bacteriostatic and hormonal substances with biological balancing effects. The mineral content of seawater includes magnesium which relaxes muscles and is calming on nerves. Iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function. Salt and potassium chloride speed up healing. 
2. Increases oxygenation of the body
   When we breathe in ocean mist, tiny molecules rich in iodine and charged with negative ions enter our body through the respiratory system. Negative ions accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen. They also balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical linked with mood and stress. This is why a walk on the beach can leave you feeling more alert, relaxed and energised.
3. Boosts the immune system
   The effects of immersing in cold water have been studied widely, and one of the most important effects discovered is that it boosts your immune system, helping to protect against cold and flu and other diseases. It also gives you an endorphin high, enhances your circulation, increases your libido, burns more calories and reduces stress. (stay tuned for more on the benefits of swimming in cold water in our winter newsletter!)
4. Increases lymphatic circulation and detoxification
   Any time you are submerged in water, whether it’s the swimming pool, lake, or ocean, you are essentially wearing full body custom compression! The force of the water on your body causes a significant increase in hydrostatic pressure creating an amazing movement of lymph. Every time you move and pump your muscles, the flow of the water and difference in pressure acts like a lymphatic massage, making swimming the absolute ideal form of exercise for stimulating lymphatic circulation and detoxifying the body.
5. Reduces stress and increased well-being
   The sound of ocean waves alters the wave patterns in the brain. This reduces stress and promotes well-being by lulling you into a deeply relaxed state. Add to this moderate exposure to sunlight which releases endorphins as well as being very beneficial for the skin and bones. 
6. There is something “spiritual” about swimming in the ocean
   Looking out to the ocean as the waves thunder towards the shore, even on a cloudy day, the awe-inspiring beauty and power of the ocean somehow rarely fails to bring a feeling of peace and soothe the soul. Something even more powerful happens as you immerse yourself in the cool body of water that stretches around the Earth. It is at once, grounding and invigorating. The beauty of the sea world beneath is breathtaking (that's if you are breathing underwater!). It is not unusual when swimming on the Sydney coast to spot enormous blue groupers, colour-changing cuttlefish, wobbegongs (bearded sharks), and even tiny turtles and sea horses.

You don’t even have to get wet to receive health benefits from the ocean! You can get thalassotherapy benefits from walking on the beach, breathing in the sea air or even having a seaside massage! (Reminds me of a place..) However, of course, it’s even better to jump right in! Enjoy the rest of Summer and make the most of our beautiful coastal city by taking the time to immerse yourself in the health-giving waters right at our doorstep.
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References

• http://www.traveltowellness.com/thalassotherapy
• Thalasso Experience: What is Thalasso?
• http://www.pacificnaturopathic.com/articles/health_benefits_of_sea_bathing.html
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-102698/Three-health-benefits-sea.html
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/406804-what-health-benefits-do-you-get-by-swimming-in-ocean-sea-minerals/
• https://www.lifehack.org/288238/6-amazing-health-benefits-cold-water-swimming
• http://www.lymphessential.com/2018/03/17/swimming-lymphatic-system/