Stress is an inevitable part of life. But how we react to stress can vary. Responses to stress include muscle aches, sleep problems, and increased heart rate. When you are stressed, you might find that you are quick to anger, have less patience, and less active than usual.
It might surprise you, though, that adding in activity can help you fight stress. Exercise has been shown to not only benefit your overall health but bust stress and help you relax.
Are you thinking, “Exercise for relaxation? Trying to fit in workouts is one of the things causing me stress.”
Yes. A good workout is still important to help you relax. (Keep reading to find out how it works.) In addition, it helps you develop healthy patterns for managing stress so that you feel better equipped when we face challenging situations in our daily lives.
Almost any form of exercise can benefit your stress levels and health. It’s important to choose a form of movement that you like, whether it’s walking, yoga, or swimming.
A Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa makes it convenient to incorporate swimming and water exercises into your daily routine. Feel more relaxed day to day as you stress less about fitting in your workout.
Exercise for relaxation
On days when you feel like stress is getting to you, a workout — even a quick one — can help you ease the tension. Data show that regular physical activity can increase your energy and optimism. You might also find that you are calmer and are able to better focus on tasks.
Exercise promotes relaxation in myriad ways.
Release of endorphins
You have probably heard of endorphins, which are basically your body’s “feel-good” neurotransmitters. Any exercise will increase the body’s production of endorphins. Once you are done with your session, you will notice that you feel happier.
Boost your mood
There are a lot of things that can affect your mood —confidence levels, depression, anxiety, poor sleep. Any type of exercise can help you in all of these areas. Staying committed to an exercise routine will boost your confidence. You will also notice that you can better manage depression and anxiety. You will sleep better. As these areas of your life improve, so will your mood. You might notice a change immediately after exercising but these feelings will also build over time.
Better blood flow
You’ve heard that an exercise session will get your blood pumping. This increase in circulation will deliver more oxygen and vital nutrients to your body. This increase will help you feel more relaxed after you workout.
Allow for distraction
Are there things on your mind that are causing stress and making it harder to relax? When you engage in a physical activity, you are able to take a break from those worries. Your focus will be what you are doing, whether it’s swimming or going for a walk. You might also find that working out can help you achieve a greater sense of clarity on an issue that’s been affecting you.
Swimming and stress relief
The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. What is moderate physical activity? You could walk, bike, jog, or swim.
Swimming is a popular way to exercise because it is easy on the joints. More than that, being in the water is shown to be therapeutic.
In multiple studies, swimmers report that swimming helps relieve tension and makes them feel happier. A study by Speedo said that 70 percent of swimmers felt mentally refreshed after a session.
How does swimming help relieve stress?
The natural properties of the water can relax the muscles and reduce the stress on your joints. You will feel looser and lighter as you swim, whether you are working on your freestyle or testing out your backstroke.
In addition, swimming is a meditative-type exercise. Swimming stroke after stroke, you can pay attention to the rhythm of your body. This repetition can have a soothing effect on your mind, helping you to relax. It’s almost like you forget the outside world.
But there’s more to the sense of calm you feel in the water. Swimming, even just a half-hour, can help you improve your sleep patterns. High-quality sleep is important to helping manage stress and increasing a sense of calm.
And you don’t have to wait for the effects of swimming to build up to see an improvement in your sleep. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “people who engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise may see a difference in sleep quality that same night.”
Swim spas and relaxation
Swimming can be a moving meditation. It’s just you and the water, as you pull yourself through the pool or the local lake. With each stroke, you can feel the sense of calm growing.
But the drive to the pool? And the crowded locker rooms? Those aren’t so relaxing.
An activity intended for relaxation shouldn’t cause you stress. But how do you swim without packing up your gear and heading out the front door?
A Michael Phelps Signature swim Spa makes swimming convenient, whether you want to exercise for relaxation or train for an event.
A portable swim-in-place pool, you can swim for 15 minutes or an hour without sharing a lane. You can swim at your own pace, adjusting the speed of the endless swim current. The Wave XP Pro system of Michael Phelps swim spas can be adjusted from zero to 100. You can swim as fast as 54 seconds per 100-meter pace or slow it down for a therapeutic swim.
A swim-in-place pool isn’t just about swimming. You can choose a gentle workout, like water walking or aqua aerobics, or take advantage of the built-in hot tub seating. The massage jets can target the tension that has taken up residence in your neck and shoulders. Use the Xtreme Therapy Cove to relieve low back pain.
In addition, you can set the temperature of the water so that it’s comforting and therapeutic. Warm water has been used throughout history to ease stress and anxiety. Just sitting or moving around the water can help you achieve a sense of calm.
MP Force and Mp Signature spas can be set to 99 degrees, while the hot tub side of the MP Momentum Deep can go up to 104 degrees.
How to buy a swim spa
Are you ready to enjoy the benefits of swimming, recreation, and relaxation year-round — even in the winter? Having a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa at home allows you to enjoy the benefits of a pool without the maintenance. You can click here to get more backyard ideas and picture what a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa would look like in your space. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about swim spa ownership. Wondering how much a Michael Phelps swim spa costs? You can request a quote here.