Swimming in the summertime is one of my favorite activities. There are a lot of reasons that I enjoy going for swims in the summertime, and there are plenty of benefits to swimming for me since I have multiple sclerosis. I try and swim at least three times a week in the summertime since it allows me to choose between a swimming pool and a lake.

The benefits, for me, are both health and social benefits.

Benefit number one

Social interaction is the first reason I love to swim. I’m able to interact with people that are perfectly healthy, and people that have medical conditions like me. Since I’m not able to work any longer I choose to swim to get my source of social interaction.

I have met many new friends swimming at the local swimming pool. Without these friends my life would be more difficult since I would be closed up inside my house. I spend time going out to eat, and just talking with these friends. My new-found friends have given a sense that not all is lost in my life, even though I have multiple sclerosis.

Benefit number two

Strength training is easiest for me to accomplish through swimming. While I enjoy other strength training exercises like cycling, scuba diving, and walking, swimming is the easiest on my body. I’m able to build strength in my arms and legs through this one healthy exercise. The strength training of swimming comes from the motions in swinging my arms and kicking my legs.

Before I got back into swimming I had to use a walker to get around. Since I started strength training through swimming I have regained my strength and am now able to walk freely. I no longer require the use of a walker or a cane on a daily basis. There are times that my multiple sclerosis is so bad, though, I do use my cane to get around.

Benefit number three

It is easy to become relaxed while swimming. With my multiple sclerosis, high levels of stress are not good for me. High levels of stress can lead me to a relapse in my multiple sclerosis. This is another reason I love to swim. Swimming allows me to relax, therefore bringing down my stress level.

Read more from the original source:
Top Five Ways Swimming is Beneficial to People With Multiple Sclerosis

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