Why Swimming Is The Best Exercise for Your Brain

[@hugoam7503]

I've struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life, even had a couple of suicide attempts. One of the very first things my therapist told me when I started treating my mental health issues was to go swimming. Apparently many other exercises subconciously indicate the brain to "keep things", like for example when lifting weights you pull the dumbbell towards your body. As one of my problems was that I couldn't let go of (bad) past events this was not ideal. Swimming on the other hand is all about letting go and just sort of float around letting things happen, I can't even put into words the extremely positive impact that swimming has had in my mental health, fortunately nowadays I have found inner peace and the negative thoughts have become so minuscule they don't affect me anymore. So yeah I am thankful every day to my doctor and to the people at the gym who mantain the pool and to swimming content creators like this channel because it's become such an important part of my life! :)

[@FaresKsebati]

Wow, thank you for sharing, Hugo! Hope you can continue to enjoy swimming and keep inspiring others. Happy swimming :)

[@itgetter9]

Wow -- this was a powerful testament to read, and I had never thought of other kinds of exercise in the way you describe, but it does make sense. I hope you are feeling gradually better and better!

[@Mariana-st2kr]

same here!! ten years ago, my doctor recommended to swim to help with mental health and it was the best thing ever. I also realized that swimming is like meditation

[@Toni266-k4j]

I found swimming the only excercise that gives me peace from my treatment resistant depression . It’s a life long activity for me .

[@ThePerfectFormula]

Holy shit brother, I totally agree but I could never put it into words. Thanks for sharing, real talk❤

[@miguelfernandes6098]

Swimming is the best anti-depression, the most complete sport. I´m 51 and 5 days a week, I swim 1 hour in the 4 different styles. In the past, I had problems with depression,, since I start training I conquered my health again I´m in very good shape and without mental problems.

[@FaresKsebati]

That's great to hear, Miguel! Happy swimming :)

[@miguelfernandes6098]

@@FaresKsebati Thanks I´l ike a lot to see your videos,

[@sandrahossman2089]

Agree, no matter what, I jump in the pool and start swimming all is OK with the world.

[@Blessed381]

The pool relaxes me when I am stressed, I Go to the pool daily for exercise and become one with the water.

[@luisgrasset]

Me too but I cant say that swiming is having fun, I usually get bored. Is pleasant and enjoyable, more in open waters but funny? Is very repetitive and precise

[@josephstevens9888]

I just love the complete body workout I get when swimming. I also love how it tires me out so that I get quality sleep. I'm not a good swimmer, however I'm a consistent one - I also have good endurance. That is why I enjoy watching MySwimPro videos with hopes to become a better swimmer!

[@FaresKsebati]

Thanks for sharing, Joseph! Happy swimming :)

[@officialcheetahhopperz1]

I’m 48 and stared swimming for my workouts 2 months ago, I basically did this because my body was not liking running anymore and screaming at me. I’ll never go back to running I love lap swimming and feel amazing.

[@Justsomeguyyoutubing]

For me swiming helps as I don't think much. Sort of like meditation+exercise. Others may have different experiences, feedback etc.

[@FaresKsebati]

Totally agree. Swimming as a form of meditation is common and effective!

[@falliezhang4269]

Same here

[@Ajajambo]

Even after being destroyed physically from a swim, I still feel happier than ever. I am 42 and have juts mastered Butterfly after year and years of hope to learn it. Happy swimming everyone.

[@robfetty6497]

Hi Fares. Something that I have not heard you discuss - which is important. Swimming alone as a persons only exercise can be detrimental. A friend of mine ( middle age ) who just swims for exercise was recently diagnosed with bone density issues. A video about the importance of supplementing swimming with weight bearing exercise and/or weight lifting could be valuable.

[@dgrewar]

All true. Since ive taken up daily lane swimming, my memory has greatly improved and i sleep well now.

[@sandrahossman2089]

Swimming relaxes me , puts me in the best mood. I feel great when I get out. I put my MP 3 player on and concentrate on my swimming 🏊‍♀️ plus I can rock out to great music.

[@mykolasenyk1]

What MP3 player do you use?

[@yvonnelives]

@@mykolasenyk1 I see some use the apple iPod mini.

[@sandrahossman2089]

@@mykolasenyk1 I use Finis , love it. They have gotten much cheaper. I have had mine about 10yrs.

[@mykolasenyk1]

@@sandrahossman2089 Thank you for your response. Do they work only up to 30 minutes in the water?

[@sandrahossman2089]

@@mykolasenyk1 no, about an hour to 90 minutes.

[@faustopereira3644]

As i have back pain problemas i started swimming 15 year ago and it is the best exercise i could find. Better then walking. I just need a bit of discipline to go into the water.

[@FaresKsebati]

Couldn't agree more, Fausto! Swimming is great for all bodies of all abilities :) If you're looking for personalized motivation, check out the MySwimPro app! We'll give you the Training Plans and Workouts you need to get to the pool on a weekly basis. You can go to myswimpro.com/coach and use the code SOCIAL20 for 20% off!

[@alanguages]

Dancing and Swimming are two of the main physical activities, that are best for the brain, I can think of. Anything that traumatizes the brain, like the contact sports of boxing, rugby, football are the worse for the brain.

[@simba_5208]

Good video but I think many of these benefits can be achieved through any form of cardio so if you want to better yourself but don’t have access to a pool just go for a run around your neighborhood

[@PaulMollon]

My wife and I have been swimming all of our life, teens on through to our current age of 68 yrs. We are so much more healthy, capable and cognitive with a positive attitude towards life than our peers. SWIM PEOPLE, it will extend your functional life span👍😃

[@itgetter9]

I really appreciate your videos! Super-informative and they get me pumped up to swim more and more!

[@FaresKsebati]

So glad to hear that! Happy swimming :)

[@usarchitects]

Roger that coach, swimming makes me happy, every time!

[@lindagarrido4353]

I love jumping into the pool 3-4 times a week for 1 hour during the work week, especially when I'm trying to think through something, feel brain dead or simply need to get away from the computer. I also highly recommend joining a swim team if you can. It's a fun way to test your swimming skills while meeting other swim enthusiasts and participating in some healthy competition. By the way, after 30+ years of not swimming, I took it up again with the help of an amazing coach (worth every penny.) I can't emphasize enough how beneficial swimming is to us older adults. I feel 20 years younger!

[@TheSomeone2009]

Great comment. How did you find the coach? I'm in a similar boat, a bit older but looking to improve my technique and start swimming regularly..

[@lindagarrido4353]

@@TheSomeone2009 At my gym which has a 25 meter pool. My current coach saw me swimming and asked me if I would mind some tips to improve my swimming, so I asked if he gave private lessons.

[@isaacjosifek4818]

This is sooo interesting!! I am doing a paper on why swimming is the best sport, and this is def something I'm going to talk about. Thanks for sharing!!

[@KyleMillis]

Thanks for the great tips Fares!

[@Walker172012]

Love to know more about brain+ water connections! Love your streams!

[@Doktracy]

Almost my entire high school girls swim team were also in the advanced “gifted” level class at school from 7th-12th grade together. Many of us were also in band and orchestra.

[@Trailerwalker]

Swimming is the closest we can feel to controlled human flight Edit- Not a fact, just felt right typing this

[@jenarinberenger7396]

Good job broader 👍👍👍👍

[@bedforsleepygamers2863]

Loved it

[@tuidolo27]

It’s there any time of the day which would be better to experience this benefits?

[@teresmajor7956]

Unfortunately in my case, the 80% of my swimming pool is allocated to kids classes, the pool and the dressing room is dominated with the chaos of kids and parents that won't teach them manners. Nowadays I am realising going there to swim just makes me opposite of Zen. On the other hand, its one of the best decisions to start swimming just 4 months ago, and I already got my Swolf down from 57 to 33.

[@gstlynx]

Great summary and motivating.

[@lucamonteleone1501]

Can somone plese tell me where is the study about improving your memory?

[@JDGage]

I was going to go today now that my PT gave me the go, but on a business trip the hotel pool is stupid busy lol. I’ll try next time.

[@peetsnort]

When I become swimming fit after 6 day in Greece I always feel it does something in my head and now I know what. I swim in the open sea and the combination of holding my breath while imagining a shark coming up from the deep seems to make me feel more alive than ever

[@Alesandro113]

Amazing!!

[@FaresKsebati]

Couldn't agree more! Happy swimming, Alejandro! :)

[@miriamnmpanga7104]

Thank you my swimpro, bt where can I meet you physically if I wanted classes frm you

[@FaresKsebati]

Hi Miriamn! We offer virtual coaching through the MySwimPro app - check it out at myswimpro.com/elite :)

[@medmdswldmedmdswld1276]

I swim almost every day 1700 meters freestyle, lately the muscles in my body really hurt and Soring an cramping, I started taking magnesium and vitamin capsules, in fact the muscles in my shoulders and legs limit me because of the . Soreness pain is there a recommendation what to do? Thank you Moshe.

[@FaresKsebati]

Hi there! You may want to talk to a health professional, but also be sure you're drinking plenty of water.

[@yvonnelives]

@@FaresKsebati I was just thinking the exact same thing! Must go see a health professional, and drink plenty of water. Make sure of getting a good amount of rest.

[@medmdswldmedmdswld1276]

@@FaresKsebati Thank you.

[@medmdswldmedmdswld1276]

@@yvonnelives Thank you.

[@yvonnelives]

@@medmdswldmedmdswld1276 You’re welcome and keep us posted on what you come up with and how you are coming along. It’ll also be great info to keep in mind in the future.

[@alisaid5392]

Definitely coach

[@mauro5174]

Totally agree...

[@Hujsnb1606]

رائع ❤️ شكراً جزيلاً

[@peetsnort]

The dive reflex has something to do with it

[@gibbie63]

I don’t know I’ve swallowed a lot of pool water. 😬

[@toliban]

Hey man, you made me want to stop this video and go for a swim. Unfortunately, I can't do it right now...

[@yuribrozzi209]

Sottotitoli in italiano per favoreeeeeee👍👍👍

[@trentuberman]

If water was zero gravity, people would not drown.

[@leonorpereyra5803]

Marvellous

[@bret8491]

Does swimming is recommended if you have brain injury?

[@FaresKsebati]

Please talk to your doctor first!

[@yassinesai4894]

لو تعملون خاصة باللغة العربية

[@scarpelli9114]

Improves memory??

[@123nash45]

his board is under major covid-19 attack.

[@elasticaiez8099]

But it’s darken ma skin … n I’m already dark ☹️

[@specialrukky]

Yes it does but since I started wearing water friendly long sleeved pants and tops I’ve put skin tan/discoloration in the past.

[@sharminpathan4861]

My pool is best noob

[@freddyaguilera3116]

Punny

[@gdvsport3902]

Hi Fares. Something that I have not heard you discuss - which is important. Swimming alone as a persons only exercise can be detrimental. A friend of mine ( middle age ) who just swims for exercise was recently diagnosed with bone density issues. A video about the importance of supplementing swimming with weight bearing exercise and/or weight lifting could be valuable.