Add Swimming to Your Exercise Routine
IT HELPS YOUR MIND AND BODY
Is there anything better than going for a swim after an exhausting day in the sun? Besides the refreshment, spending time in the water can help you stay fit or work through an injury. You don’t even need to work up a sweat in the pool to feel the benefits of getting in the water. Water presses in on injured areas, which means it can reduce swelling and improve motion. The buoyancy of water reduces impact and stress when exercising, which supports injured muscles and joints during recovery. Water resistance can help you move easier, reduce pain, and even help build muscle strength. The benefits don’t stop there. Swimming is an excellent way to reduce chronic pain. No matter if you prefer freestyle, butterfly, or backstroke, swimming works your back muscles in a consistent fashion. This prevents adding any extra wear and tear to an already sensitive set of muscles.
Swimming is also beneficial outside the obvious uses during physical therapy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that swimming can help improve your mood, decrease anxiety in people with fibromyalgia, and enhance the health of pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Swimming releases endorphins, the natural feel-good hormones that help you experience a greater sense of happiness and well-being. In a 2012 survey conducted by Speedo, 74% of respondents said that swimming helps remove stress and tension. More than a majority of respondents also reported that being in the water helped improve their self-worth, and they felt mentally refreshed afterward. Possibly the biggest challenge with swimming is finding a pool suitable for your needs. While many community centers and gyms have pools designed for swimming laps, others only have community pools
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends swimming or walking in the water to help ease the pain and stress for injuries relating to ligaments, muscles, or tendons.
meant for everyone to simply enjoy the water. Regardless of what type of pool is near you, just getting in the water can benefit your mind and body.
TAKE A BREAK
Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Inspired by WellPlated.com
This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.
INGREDIENTS
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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Salt and pepper, to taste 4 cups chicken broth 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 cups kale, chopped 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces
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6 cloves garlic
1 onion, chopped
6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!
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