Sailing can be such a wonderful leisure activity. It lets you enjoy a peaceful time away from the crowds with your family, indulge in some me-time fishing, party with your friends, or just relax on the deck. However, many people still don’t realize that sailing is a lot more than just a sport or hobby. Aside from giving you the freedom to choose what to do and where you want to go, it also comes with plenty of health benefits. If you need high-quality upholstery for your sailing boat, you can check out Wickenroy Pavitt.
But what exactly are these health benefits? Well, the following is a rundown of a few health benefits that might just convince you to start sailing today.
Muscle Growth and Development
Since sailing involves pulling lines along with trimming and hoisting sails to maneuver the boat properly, it helps you develop muscle strength in your back and shoulders. These activities will also help increase muscle strength in your thighs and legs to some degree. They can also improve your endurance, agility, flexibility, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
Improves your Cardiovascular Health
Just as discussed in the previous point, sailing involves a lot of your muscles. When you engage in strenuous activity, your lungs essentially get some exercise to effectively provide your body with enough oxygen. In turn, this helps to improve your cardiovascular health. The benefits are amplified considering the better-quality air you breathe while in the middle of the sea. And when you achieve optimal cardiovascular health, you lower your risks of hypertension and other heart-related conditions.
Helps to Keep your Bones Strong
Being exposed to sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D, which is important for bone health. While sailing, you will be getting unrestricted access to the sun, with no artificial structures getting in the way of sunlight. While it’s always recommended to get your dose of sunlight exposure early in the morning or late afternoons when the sun rays aren’t as harsh, you can always slather some sunscreen on your skin to prevent skin damage. You can also wear a pair of sunglasses and a hat to minimize the risk of eye strain and headaches.
Improved Mental Wellness
Inhaling the fresh, salty air in the sea and being surrounded by calm, blue waters can help to improve your mental well-being as well. The salt in the air is particularly helpful in that it allows the body to absorb more oxygen, which helps to balance the amount of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is widely known as a “happy hormone” that can help improve mood.
Being near a body of water helps regulate mood. This is mainly because of the relaxing sounds generated by the flowing water and the waves crashing onto the shore or slapping the sides of the boat. This is also the reason behind white noise used to help people sleep having the option to play simulated sounds of a rushing river or the ocean.
Additionally, sailing is also a quiet and peaceful sport that you can enjoy in full isolation and privacy. Being alone with nothing but the sand, sun, and sea is a sure way to help you mentally reset from the stresses of daily life.
Helps to Improve Concentration
One of the key objectives of sailing is working to keep the boat afloat and smoothly cruising on the water. Doing this requires you to monitor several things, including the weather, wind patterns, and steering the boat while keeping your eyes on the gauges. This way, sailing helps you to improve your concentration and focus, essentially making you attentive to the smallest of details. This mental training can come in handy for people who need to multitask in their careers or daily lives.
