The Health Benefits Of A Pool

The decision to install a pool in your yard is a big one. It’s a major investment, after all, and so it’s not something you should take lightly. There are pros and cons, but one big advantage is the health benefits offered by a pool. In fact, there are some health benefits many people don’t even think about.

Exercise

Yes, you can use a pool to get in some exercise. It will have to be a certain size, but it doesn’t have to be enormous. It should be big enough for you to swim a few laps back and forth, from one side to the other. Time yourself for some extra motivation, or get a friend to stand by the pool with a stopwatch.

Swimming is great exercise in part because it’s so low-impact. You can get heart the rate going without all the wear and tear on your body. Jogging is great exercise, too, but it can be murder on the legs, feet, and knees. A swimming pool gives you all of the benefits without  all of the callouses.

You can also try water aerobics in your own backyard pool. You may want to attend a few classes at your local gym first to make sure you get the hang of it, but once you do, you’ll find it’s a great form of resistance training. You may even want to invite a few friends over once a week for your very own water aerobics class.

Relaxation

You may feel blissfully lazy when you’re floating on a pool raft in your backyard, but you’re also getting some serious health benefits. That kind of relaxation lowers your blood pressure and calms down your body, and calmer bodies lead to calmer minds. It’s not a good idea to constantly be stressed out and on-edge. Exercise can also create endorphins that make you happier, and there’s evidence that exercising helps you sleep better (at least as long as you don’t do it too late in the day). So once you’ve done a few laps, pull out the pool float shaped like a slice of pizza and just chill out.

From a health standpoint, a chlorinated pool is also much better than the old country swimming hole. Country swimming holes aren’t exactly known for their cleanliness. Everyone remembers diving into a creek as a kid and getting dirty water into that fresh scratch on your knee. You’re probably wincing just thinking about it. Chlorine won’t feel good if it gets in your eyes, but it’s still a much more sanitary option than just about anything you’ll find in nature.

There are some things you do because you just have to, like going to the dentist and paying your electric bill. Those things are just part of being an adult. And yes, a pool would be a big responsibility. You’ll want to make sure there are people in the house who will use it frequently during the warmer months of the year. But if you’ve got that, you’ll find that a pool is good for a lot more than just fun. It’s also a great way to improve your health and overall sense of well-being.