Thirst Quenching!

The weather gets warm here in the Coachella Valley!  Walking outside in the summer, from an air conditioned office, sometimes feels like stepping into an oven.  It makes splashing in a pool seem very appealing.   On the really hot days, finding a way to cool off frequently becomes the goal. 

When the weather gets warmer our bodies are forced to physically adjust.  They make this adjustment automatically without any thought on our part.  Our muscles communicate with our brain, which tells us to regulate our body temperature by releasing sweat which allows us to cool.  Most of us know that we depend on water for survival, but did you know that water makes up more than half your body weight?   Because of this fact it is imperative that as we sweat we replenish the fluid lost by drinking water. 

There are different water intake recommendations circulating but most commonly people have been told they should drink 6 to 8 - eight ounce glasses of water each day and more if you exercise.  Some people require more and some require less, but everybody requires replenishment especially in the heat and especially when you exercise.  Thirst is a built in indicator that the body is craving water.  Drinking when you are thirsty is a pretty fail safe way of staying hydrated.

So, what if you exercise in a pool, does that make a difference in the amount of water you should drink during your exercise routine?  The simple answer is no.  Though it may seem impossible, being surrounded by water, swimmers experience dehydration too and if they are training vigorously, they sweat.  Unfortunately, since sweat is not noticeable in the water, many swimmers do not realize they are dehydrated.  The body doesn’t absorb water like a sponge so even when you are immersed in water, your insides — where you need the water to function — isn’t getting any water from the pool.  To fuel your body properly, you need to drink water not just swim in it!

Swimming is a great way to exercise and stay a bit cooler during the workout. But remember, exercise of any kind, during the heat of the day, needs to be carefully monitored and drinking lots of water should be a part of the routine.  If you need summer time pool space to cool off or for your exercise routine, call the Palm Desert Aquatic Center 760-565-7467.

Stress Relief

Stress… Just the word makes me want to take a deep cleansing breath.  It is the word used when we feel overwhelmed, burdened, or loaded.  Most often we talk about stress in light of a challenge or a threat to our well-being. We interpret our stress levels by what we feel we can handle.  I’ve known times, as I’m sure you have also, where the pressure of stress felt almost more than I could bear.   It is in these times where my interactions, moods, and even health become negatively affected.   But stress is not always negative.   Some types of stress can be positive; it gets us going, keeps us moving, and keeps us striving, trying and succeeding.

Part of our response to challenges has a physiological element and affects our physical state. The way we respond to a challenge may in itself be a type of stress.  Did you know there is a connection between exercise and stress relief?  Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Endorphins are anxiety fighting super heroes.  Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. If you're not an athlete, or even if you're downright out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.

 

I am frequently asked what qualifies as the best stress relief exercise.  That is impossible to answer without knowing you personally.  But a great place to start is in the water.  When submerged to the neck in water, 90 percent of a person’s body weight is reduced. Combine that with a warm water environment, flowing movements, and the valuable energy of physical activity; the body receives therapeutic benefits and the brain interprets the experience as positive.

The direct stress-busting benefits of water exercise are well documented.  Water surrounds you during the entire exercise routine making resistance three-dimensional.  Movement in one direction meets with equal resistance in the opposite direction and encourages muscle balance and parity.  As well, it is a low-impact activity that takes the pressure off your bones, joints and muscles.  It offers natural resistance, and helps you get strong.   It is meditation in motion, and has the ability to improve your mood by boosting your endorphin super heroes.  At the Palm Desert Aquatic Center we can help you make water part of your stress relief routine.  Call us. 760-565-7467