In the height of summer, most people choose to break away from the usual routine and embark on a summer holiday adventure. Some prefer the mountains and nature, others burn for sand and sea, no matter what the choice is the important thing is to be able to get as many positive emotions and experiences as possible.
In this article we will give you some information why swimming and generally sitting in sea water has a good effect on the human body. We will also note what these positive effects are.
To begin with, the use of seawater for healing purposes is called thalassotherapy. Thalassotherapy comes from the word 'thalasso', which translates from the Greek as sea.
The origins of sea baths and related procedures can be traced back to ancient times. The valuable effects of the sea were known to the Romans. An interesting fact is that sea water and human blood plasma have a similar composition. When the body is immersed in warm sea water, it absorbs from it the minerals it needs - such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and iodide.
Also in the past, doctors often recommended their patients to visit the sea to improve their health, this advice was valid for different types of diseases. They also wrote prescriptions detailing exactly how long, how often and under what circumstances their patients should enter the water.
Sea water differs from river water in that it has a significantly higher number of minerals, including sodium, chloride, sulphate, magnesium and calcium. For this reason, seawater is considered suitable for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis.
For the treatment of psoriasis, the combination of thalassotherapy and heliotherapy (sun treatment) achieves very good results. However, sun exposure should be moderate!
Many dermatologists recommend that thalassotherapy for psoriasis be performed in the Dead Sea.
There is some evidence to support the idea that magnesium absorption is good for eczema sufferers' skin - probably because it makes it less dry (as people who use salt baths testify). This is because magnesium-rich seawater can improve moisture retention in the skin, making it stronger and firmer.
Because it is rich in other mineral salts such as sodium and iodine, seawater can be considered to have antiseptic properties, which means it can have wound healing properties. On the other hand, swimming in the ocean with open wounds can expose you to potential bacterial infections.
Flushing the nasal cavity with saline solutions is used as an adjunctive therapy by many people suffering from hay fever, as well as sinus inflammation and infection. This is because the physiological effect of water on the sinus mucosa can reduce inflammation.
Swimming in seawater and exposure to salty environments in general help reduce hay fever symptoms as well as other respiratory complaints.
There are studies that show that people feel more relaxed when they exercise or do some physical activity in a natural environment. Starting from this idea we can state that swimming in sea water has the same effect.
There are studies that provide evidence as to why one feels more relaxed and calm when in or under water.
One reason is the breathing patterns used during swimming and diving. They stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (the system that controls organ function and calms the brain) and influence brain waves and hormones that positively affect the brain.
Hydrotherapy (water therapy) and swimming have also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. One study showed that the effects of thalassotherapy were comparable to one of the commonly used antidepressant drugs called paroxetine.
Swimming in cold water activates temperature receptors under the skin that release hormones such as endorphins, adrenaline and cortisol. These have therapeutic benefits for certain musculoskeletal conditions - such as fibromyalgia, which is a condition with chronic pain and tightness all over the body, as well as skin discomfort.
Repeated exposure to cold water can also lead to enhanced parasympathetic nervous system function, which helps with organ function. This is associated with an increase in the release of dopamine and serotonin, everyone knows these are the so-called happiness hormones.
It's a good idea to alternate getting into the cold sea water with sun exposure and body warming. This alternation of cold and warm has a beneficial effect on the immune system by boosting immunity. However, here we must pay attention to the way you enter the water. It is a good idea to enter gradually, giving your body time to condition to the colder temperature. If you suddenly throw yourself into the cold sea, you may bring problems such as neck pain, back pain, etc.
No matter what destination you choose for your holiday, the most important thing is to have fun and recharge your batteries so you are ready for new achievements.
