What Are The Health Benefits Of Surfing?
Surfing can be a healthy activity for any age. The mental and physical health benefits of surfing are well documented in the surfing community, and evidence continues to grow about how good surfing actually is for your body. It combines cardiovascular exercise with resistance training and anaerobic exercise to help build new muscles and improve existing ones.
Learning how to ride the waves with a surfboard isn’t a walk in the park as this task will require a lot of time and effort from you. In fact, you’ll have to spend weeks or even months to know how to surf, and you may even consider going to a surf camp to learn the sport. This can be a particularly good idea if you aren't sure where to begin, as expert professional guidance can sometimes be the key to mastering the art of surfing compared to trying to learn the sport yourself. However, with the health benefits this sport can offer, you’ll know that learning it will be worth it in the long run.
Listed below are some of the health benefits you can experience once you know how to surf.
Reduces Stress
Surfing, as shown on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe_ZLwzh-73vuzoZesJJgkw/videos, also helps in reducing stress levels. This is because a large number of people who love to surf are always surrounded by an atmosphere of fun. The waves offer a place to socialize with others, and this encourages the development of good relationships. The relaxation and fun that are associated with this activity also helps in reducing your blood pressure.
If you’re regularly stressed at home, you should definitely add surfing to your weekly routine. You’ll be surprised on how refreshed you’ll be after surfing with other people on the beach!
Improves Cardiovascular Health
When you’re paddling out on a surfboard with your legs, arms, back, you're getting an awesome workout. By burning calories while moving your body, your heart will become stronger and your circulatory system will be in better shape. When your body is healthier, it can function more efficiently and you can enjoy your daily activities much more fully.
Men and women in surfing develop better heart health, enabling them to go up and down hills without difficulty and without experiencing problems. You can also have an increased ability to handle stress and pain when you have a healthy heart. And, of course, a strong heart means that you can remain active even as you age.
Boosts Blood Circulation
One of the best advantages of surfing is that it can help improve your circulation. As you’re paddling through the water with your arms, chest, back, legs, and everything else working your surfing mojo, there’s a constant flow of blood going through your body. This helps the muscles become stronger and get rid of toxins. Over time, you’ll find that with every stroke that you make, your heart rate will increase, thereby boosting blood circulation in your body.
Helps You Sleep Better
You won’t be able to improve or maintain your health if you don’t get enough sleep every single night. Sleep is essential because it repairs broken joints and muscles, and refreshes your mind and body.
If you’ve been struggling to get some shuteye at night, surfing can help. Surfing can improve your sleeping pattern because being active outdoors will increase the melatonin in your body, making it easier for you to sleep. Moreover, because you’ll be exhausted from your surfing sessions, you won’t have any problems sleeping at the end of the day. Over time, surfing will enable you to sleep for at least eight hours every night and experience the benefits of a healthy sleep.
Burns Calories
When you’re surfing, you’re exercising your entire body. You’ll be using all of your muscle groups, including your abs, back, and arms. The combination of this workout and the mental and emotional stimulation you’ll get from it will help you burn calories.
The combination of cardio and weight lifting is just one aspect of surfing that can help you burn calories. Your muscles will also be exercised during your surf lessons to help you strengthen your body, while you’re learning and improving your skills on the water. This can be a great way to lose weight and tone up.
Improves Mental Fitness
Surfing improves mental fitness because it helps you focus and concentrate. Your mind works much more efficiently when you're focused on your task, so taking the time to surf will definitely pay off in terms of improved concentration and mental clarity. When you surf, you’ll have one task, and that is to stand on the surface while riding the waves. Having a task in mind and working towards achieving this task will gradually improve your mental fitness.
You’ll also have a higher chance of learning new mental strategies if you regularly surf. Once you’ll know how to stand on your surfboard, you’ll be motivated to learn new tricks, and this process will keep your mind sharp.
Boosts Your Immune System
If you want to attain optimal health, you should exert time and effort to take care of your immune system. Your immune system protects your body from germs and bacteria that can cause illnesses and diseases. Aside from having a healthy diet, surfing regularly can also help in your attempts of boosting your immune system.
According to studies, being immersed in cold water will activate the body’s natural healing powers and improve the immune system. Moreover, the temperature and pressure from the seawater is also anti-inflammatory, which can help ease body pains and headaches.
Helps You Get More Vitamin D
Your body requires vitamins and minerals in order to function properly, and vitamin D is one of them. Vitamin d is essential to the human body because it promotes healthy bones and teeth, supports immune and nervous system health, and regulates insulin levels. Vitamin D is also important in order for your lung and heart to function properly.
And, while there are many supplements that can provide this vitamin today, being exposed to sunshine is, still, one of the best sources. Surfing allows you to get a lot of vitamin D because you’ll be surfing under the heat of the sun. Aside from the mentioned benefits, vitamin D can also do wonders for your skin and help your bones get stronger.
Start Now
If you’re convinced that surfing is, indeed, a great and healthy sport to try, you should start looking for pros who can help you out or enroll in classes around your area. Investing in the right surfing gears is also essential for you to learn the sport and avoid any injuries during the process. The sooner you’ll learn surfing, the sooner you can enjoy all of its health benefits!
