The benefits of swimming for your brain

[@DrBenWebb]

Download FREE Brain Health Guide “6 Steps to a Healthy Brain HERE: shorturl.at/eP2kY

[@pinkplonker8776]

I started sea swimming three weeks ago. I’m already an addict! I had heard people say that it was good for the brain but I didn’t realise how quick it would be. Like with all my hobbies, I keep buying equipment - “all the gear no idea” but I love it!

[@itgetter9]

I like any video that deals with the bodily effects of swimming. Thank you for this one!

[@DrBenWebb]

Glad it was helpful.

[@itgetter9]

As of Feb 2025, I will have 2 years of lap swimming 3-5 times per week. I've literally never felt better, and that goes for both physically and mentally/emotionally. And I'm in my 50s.

[@DrBenWebb]

Amazing!!!

[@colin4215]

I’ve been swimming since childhood, I love it. No matter what exercise I move to, I always go back to my swims. It gives me a mood boost like no other and really stabilises my mental health. 3-4 times a week optimal for me and I try to stay consistent.

[@DrBenWebb]

Fantastic!

[@Belinda99]

I HAVE BIPOLAR AND HAVE BEE SWIMMING AT LEAST 3 TIMES a week ow for the last 2 years i foud it has helped me greatly - many thanks for the video its great to hear how beneficial it is - i know it wsa really good but didnt realise it was so good for brain health

[@DrBenWebb]

Wonderful. Glad it was helpful.

[@wah898]

I swim three times per week and I feel relax

[@JamesonChosen]

It’s good to feel relaxed and have no stress, better life expectancy :)

[@peacenquiet77]

I just started lap swimming TODAY!

[@DrBenWebb]

Wonderful. Hope you are enjoying it.

[@iluvnabisaaw]

Thanks dr Webb. U r really making people realize abt the importance of swimming. U r really like an angel to me. Luv u from prof dr Muqqadas Rehman Lahore pakistan

[@DrBenWebb]

Glad it was helpful.

[@margiemccarthy6761]

I agrée…swimming is essential for my mental well-being!

[@DrBenWebb]

Good. Glad it was helpful.

[@morganpeace6867]

Thank you so much for the video, I am curious if you have done any deeper research into the link between swimming and sleep, I clicked on your video because I have observed this too but didn’t know why and am in need of better sleep now. Thanks again!

[@marymunro339]

There are some incredible success stories concerning swimmers and brain health !

[@DrBenWebb]

Absolutely! Very important.

[@malcolmmarx5830]

Awesome Information Dr Webb, i love swimming

[@samoinborut1339]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[@algobo]

Wow, this is very encouraging! Thank you so much!

[@DrBenWebb]

You are so welcome!

[@user-gs8jv4oq6w]

I always go for a swim after a hard day at work

[@DrBenWebb]

Amazing!

[@beverleyquarry7412]

I had epilepsy brain surgery a year ago still in recovery and I swim 3x a week.., I was going through narcabuse recovery process

[@DrBenWebb]

Sorry to hear about your surgery, but glad your swimming is helping your recovery,

[@beverleyquarry7412]

@@DrBenWebb thanks I find it hard to sleep well and I only get about 2 to 3 h of it any tips as for my swimming?

[@DrBenWebb]

@@beverleyquarry7412 my top three tips are go to bed at the same every night, wake up the same time every morning, get out early in the morning into natural sunlight, and execie early in the day. These all tune your brain to initiate sleep at the same time and sustain sleep.

[@beverleyquarry7412]

@@DrBenWebb thanks I’m also grieving my dad I got a swimmer ear so need to heal that

[@boudjemaselmane8345]

Thanks for sharing

[@DrBenWebb]

Thanks for watching! Hope you found it helpful.

[@baraklevy3344]

could you share some researches done proving what you mentioned regarding depression/loneliness and the relation to swimming in particular ? (despite other strength training)

[@DrBenWebb]

Christoffer T et al. Open water swimming as a treatment for major depressive disorder. BMJ Case Rep. 2018; bcr2018225007. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-225007 The health and wellbeing benefits of swimming: a systematic review. Swim England. www.britishswimming.org, published June 2017

[@baraklevy3344]

@@DrBenWebb thanks. How open water is different from pool swimming? Or is it general for swimming

[@DrBenWebb]

@@baraklevy3344 All swimming is beneficial for your brain health, but open water swimming also helps to boost your immune system and reduces your risk of chronic health conditions, like cancer, dementia, and type 2 diabetes.

[@saurabhdada1602]

Just do it and feel

[@JnIII16]

Cold water swimming/open water swimming absolutely works! My wife commented on my "happier me" after my 3rd swim...No kidding. Prior military/law enforcement, have a lot of negative stuff going on in my limited capacity brain. Highly recommend cold water swimming, intermittent fasting (time restricted feeding) and eating well (limited or no sugar/refined foods). Hope this helps or encourages someone to try this...It's truly life changing!

[@akshaydevadiga4704]

Insightful video, is it possible for you to add subtitle

[@DrBenWebb]

Will do.

[@paulafelipe1694]

Hello I heard a doctor talk about chlorine in public pools and negative impact on gut microbiomes healthy bacteria and that the gut is related to the brain..can you please speak to that..is chlorine a problem for brain health for regular lap swimmers in public pools?

[@DrBenWebb]

Thank you for your comment. Chlorine does, unfortunately, kill bacteria in your gut microbiome which can compromise your gut health and brain health. Open water swimming in unchlorinated water is the ideal environment for your gut and brain health, but I know not always possible or accessible.

[@paulafelipe1694]

@@DrBenWebb Thank you! I've been lap swimming about 4-5 times a week in a public pool so getting lots of exposure to Chlorine--I know I'm getting benefits and just wondered if the benefits outweighed the risks of being exposed to too much chlorine and unfortunately the public pool is indoors so there is chlorine gas due to chlorine mixing with people's perfumes, lotions, hairsprays--yes, people are supposed to shower before entering the pool but I don't think everyone follows that rule.

[@DrBenWebb]

@@paulafelipe1694 Benefits definitely outweigh the risks! Should have said that...

[@maryamamani3476]

@@DrBenWebb can taking probiotics overcome this disadvantage?

[@borrisagassinoida]

​@@maryamamani3476absolutely I have also have the same question 😊

[@JimmyJamesonJnr]

Does exercise or swimming specifically rebuild the brain. I cold water swim in the sea.

[@domagojbosnjak75]

Thanks for the great video, the link is not active though.

[@DrBenWebb]

Which one?

[@LadyShannonD]

I’m unable to go to the website you mentioned at the end of the video.

[@DrBenWebb]

The website has closed. We are only offering free video content now.

[@simplybuyer1]

I swim everyday and feel like a fish

[@bret8491]

Then swimming is good if you have brain injury. Appreciate your reply.

[@DrBenWebb]

Swimming is good for a healthy brain.

[@kel1404]

Swimming produce endorphins? That is if you are enjoying it, anything you enjoy doing produce endorphins.

[@DrBenWebb]

Yes - another brain benefit of exercise which you enjoy!

[@helixfire1198]

It's like a runner's high, you have to be consistent

[@amelsabri469]

You will enjoy with time and consistency. The begining is always difficult

[@cmauro6827]

What is COLD WATER swimming? 72 degrees is what most public pools have. So...is that cold ??

[@DrBenWebb]

15-16 degrees C to start.

[@WhereIsWisdom7]

No studies, no re-search, quoted? Yes, any form of exercise is better than none. Yes, swimming is good for you. But how much? How often? What a waste of 12 minutes.

[@DrBenWebb]

Sorry you didn't find the video helpful.

[@mindcache5650]

Didn’t help Ian Thorp though .