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What Are The Health Benefits of Sailing?

27th January, 2013 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Sailing is often regarded as a hobby more than a sport. This is because the health benefits of sailing are often overlooked. Not many people know that sailing could be a great addition to your fitness regimen while having fun under the sun. Here are some of the health benefits that you can get from setting sail.

1. Muscle strength/Endurance – The many activities involved in sailing like pulling and hosting of sails to maneuver a boat or a yacht adds to your muscle strength, shoulders and back.

2. Cardiovascular fitness – Sports like tennis and baseball can reduce the risk of hypertension, obesity and other heart illness. Sailing, like these intense sports can also improve your cardiovascular health. This is because of the large amounts of oxygen uptake that happens when you engage in such activities.

3. Overall wellness – Being out on the water puts you on a good mood not just because of the calmness of the water but because of the saltiness of the air. The varying moods of a person are greatly affected by the body chemical called serotonin. The saltiness of the sea air is composed of charged ions that helps in the body’s oxygen absorption which in turn results to a more balanced levels of serotonin. The more balanced your body’s serotonin levels are, the happier you’re going to be.

4. Relaxation – The sound of the wind in the sails, splashing water and the rhythmic boat movement can all influence your brainwave patterns. This in turn relaxes and soothes a busy and highly stressed out mind.

5. Agility – The various activities involved with sailing helps you to become more flexible and agile. Activities like pulling lines or hosting sails can significantly improve your hand and eye coordination skills as well as your motor skills.

6. Concentration – Having the ultimate goal of staying safe while sailing increases a person’s ability to focus which is an important skill for many chronic multi-taskers.

7. Communication – The captain and his crew must act as a unified unit in order to successfully maneuver a boat. To do this they need to learn how to communicate effectively especially through non-verbal means. You will also gain a strong feeling of cooperation and teamwork when you go on a Whitsundays yacht charter. Everyone on board plays a crucial role to keep the ship afloat.

This list shows that sailing offers more than just a fun-filled experience. It also offers a lot of positive benefits to your mental and physical health. Every time you go sailing, you know that you will become a healthier and happier person.