Feeling depressed and unhappy? Experts: Swimming has meditative and healing qualities that can help overcome grief and feel more peaceful

Swimming may give you a sense of tranquility, which is a unique effect of the flow of water and the lack of weight and stillness. The human body is made up mostly of water. Water is literally and figuratively the source of life. Being surrounded by the power of water often brings magical effects. Psychologists have long recognized that swimming has meditative and healing qualities. Even the sound of water in a pool or flowing river can have predictable effects on the body. Changes in the shape of brain waves while swimming are very similar to those during meditation or relaxation. Swimming makes us acutely aware of our bodies, and many say it reminds them of their past in the womb or during evolution.

Another benefit of swimming is that it is gentle on the body. If you have joint problems, back problems, limited mobility or excess fat, walking or running may be difficult to do. Swimming is an effective alternative. You can start with "walking in the water" or add "light swimming" and "water resistance exercises". Anything that can be done on the land, can be done in the water, just with more resistance. In this way, not only can the body and emotions gain the same benefits of land exercise, but the physical wear and tear of traditional training can be avoided. For those who are still struggling and don’t want to start exercising, swimming is not only a good way to move your body, but also allows you to enjoy more exercise.

If you can find a suitable place to swim, swimming can be an extremely beneficial exercise for the body, mind and spirit and is suitable for all seasons. Developing the habit of swimming can help the heart function normally, improve lung function, relieve stress on the body, help maintain a healthy weight, improve your endurance, strengthen your muscles, and improve cardiovascular health. Since swimming is a whole-body exercise, you don't have to worry about which part of your body is not moving. As you get stronger, you can take on more challenging exercises, such as replacing the feeling of weightlessness in the water with the liberation brought by weightlifting.

When you first start swimming, you can try an easy and simple swimming style such as "breaststroke" or "backstroke", and gradually increase the number of laps you swim each time. Start with one lap back and forth, take a break to let your heartbeat return to normal, and then swim another lap. Increase the distance a little each time you swim. When you feel that your body is getting more and more adapted to swimming, you can do a five-minute warm-up first. Try not to stop halfway and extend the swimming distance. Next, try resting for twenty to thirty seconds after every six laps, and gradually increase the number of laps you swim each time. As a side note, you might find backstroke particularly good because your ears are submerged in the water and you can feel a greater sense of tranquility from being surrounded by silence.

This article is from the book "Exercise Prozac: The Best Prescription for Overcoming Grief" by Ark Culture