Walking in Water.. Boosts Blood Circulation and Improves Mood
Reem Qasem – As summer heat intensifies, nothing compares to the pleasure of walking barefoot in water to improve venous blood circulation. But that’s not all; water also helps restore energy, enhance mood, reduce stress, and promote greater vitality. Walking in water stimulates venous circulation and relieves pressure on the leg veins by facilitating the return of blood to the heart. According to a report published in Notre Temps magazine, this benefit becomes particularly important during the summer, as heat causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
◄ How does it work? Walking in water up to the level of the calves and then the knees is one of the best exercises for activating blood circulation, as it aids the return of blood to the heart thanks to the contact of the feet with the bottom of the pool and the contraction of leg muscles. It is recommended to practice this for about 30 minutes at a brisk pace, either in one session or spread over several sessions, where the coolness of the water compared to body temperature helps limit vein dilation.
◄ Warning for diabetic patients If you have diabetes, it is advisable to wear plastic sandals to avoid injuring the soles of your feet on sand or in water (a foot wound may go unnoticed and develop into a serious infection).
◄ Swimming improves mood Swimming enhances brain function, boosts concentration, and helps improve mood. This is not just a feeling, but the result of research conducted by a neuroscientist from Harvard University. According to Dr. Sina Matthew, swimming contributes to the formation of new neural connections in the brain and repairs damage caused by stress, making 20 minutes of moderate-paced breaststroke swimming daily sufficient to enhance concentration and memory and reduce the effects of aging on cognitive abilities.
Herein lies the benefit of swimming as we age. Sophie Lacoste, author of several books on mental health, confirms that simply being near water—whether by watching it, listening to its sounds, or walking in it—has a positive effect on the brain and emotional state. It helps induce relaxation, slow down heart rate, and deepen breathing. The brain becomes occupied with calm visual scenes rather than processing multiple stimuli, such as noise and the negative effects of screens. This also contributes to lowering stress hormone levels and increasing dopamine secretion (the pleasure and motivation hormone).
◄ The sound of the sea: An effective remedy Wherever you are, nothing prevents you from playing music with natural water sounds (waterfalls, waves) for their calming effect, which is scientifically proven. This may occur through the hippocampus (a small structure in the brain) that links these sounds to pleasant memories from the past, or by promoting a relaxation state close to hypnosis.
◄ 3 Misconceptions about Swimming
1. “You must wait two hours after eating before swimming.” No, but after eating a heavy meal, exposure to sunlight, or physical exertion, body temperature rises. If you enter cold water suddenly, the temperature difference can cause fainting. To avoid this, it is recommended to enter slowly, gradually hydrating and cooling the body.
2. “When the water is cold, you should dive in all at once.” This is completely incorrect, as it increases the risk of heart rhythm disturbances. It is also advised to avoid swimming in cold water in cases of fever or infection.
3. “You don’t get sunburns in water.” It is possible, as the sea allows some ultraviolet rays to pass through. Therefore, you should protect yourself, preferably by wearing UV-protective swimwear free of oxybenzone, or using sunscreen free of toxic substances (such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene) that harm marine life.
