The bulk of our planet is covered in water. From it almost completely consists of the human body and animals. Therefore, it is not surprising that water plays a leading role in the life of the creatures that inhabit the Earth. In our material, I would like to talk about what is thalassotherapy, what are the benefits and harms of swimming in sea water, how rest on the coast affects the state of the human body.
A few words about thalassotherapy
Such a concept as thalassotherapy was introduced by the famous German therapist Friedrich von Halem. The results of research on the benefits of swimming in the sea, the specialist presented to the public in the XVIII century. A little later, the British physiologist Richard Russell wrote a treatise on the healing properties of salt water. Since that time, doctors began to consider swimming in the sea as an effective therapy for a variety of ailments.
Thanks to the expansion of knowledge in the field of thalassotherapy, the demand for the services of instructors, which acquainted the population with the secrets of water retention, has noticeably increased. After all, several centuries ago, sailors were mainly able to swim. Since the rest of the versts of the population were simply not seen in such a skill of practical application.
With the advent of the doctrine of thalassotherapy, many Europeans began to regularly visit the coast for recreational purposes. The first coastal resorts began to emerge at the end of the 19th century. In the same period, they came up with bathing suits, the fashion of which helped to familiarize people with swimming in healing salt water.
In fact, the benefits of sea water for humans were noted in the treatises of the ancient Greek scientist, doctor and philosopher Hippocrates. It was he who first proposed to use it in order to heal wounds, eliminate bruises, as well as treat skin diseases, in particular, lichen and scabies. In those gray days, the benefits of sea water for joints were already known. It was believed that rest on the coast helps to eliminate ailments of the nervous system. Sea water is often used as a laxative. She was treated for headaches.
The composition of sea water
What determines the benefits of sea water? A beneficial effect on the human body is due to its special mineral composition. The following substances are contained in sea water:
- Mineral salts - contribute to the accelerated outflow of fluids from body tissues, accelerate metabolic processes in the body.
- Calcium - a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, eliminates depressive states, drives off insomnia, makes it possible to get rid of convulsive conditions, osteoporosis.
- Magnesium - prevents allergic manifestations, relieves nervousness and irritability.
- Potassium - normalizes blood pressure, prevents the occurrence of hypertensive conditions, relieves tissue from puffiness.
- Iodine is an indispensable element for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Microelement positively affects intellectual activity.
- Iron - takes part in the processes of the formation of red blood cells, oxygen enrichment of body cells.
- Silicon - improves the condition of the skin, increasing its level of firmness and elasticity.
- Selenium - prevents the formation of pathological cells in the tissues.
- Sulfur - disinfects the skin, effectively fights the development of all kinds of fungal manifestations.
Who benefits from swimming in the sea?
As modern studies show, the benefit of sea water for the body consists, first of all, in the development of positive dynamics for the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Bathing in salt water accelerates blood, saturates body fluids with minerals and enriches tissues with oxygen. For this reason, rest at sea is recommended for people who suffer from heart ailments, have problems with abnormal jumps in blood pressure.
The benefit of seawater is the accelerated renewal of cells in the human body. Bathing in it is recommended for people who have metabolic abnormalities in the body. Visiting sea resorts provides an opportunity to strengthen immunity, calm the nervous system, and improve skin condition.
The special benefits of swimming in sea water for children, pregnant women, people who are at the stage of rehabilitation after serious illnesses. After all, the sea acts as a real storehouse of minerals that are required for normal life and restoration of the body.
Sea air
Visiting sea resorts brings considerable benefits to the organs of the respiratory system and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Staying under the sun helps open the pores of the epidermis. Thus, trace elements that are in the air are literally absorbed into the skin. It also contains negatively charged ions, volatile phytoncides that are released from the vegetation.
Vapors of sea water, rich in salts and iodine, have a positive effect on the condition of the lungs. Tissues of the respiratory tract are gradually softened and cleaned. That is why the coast is so easy to breathe. Air saturated with moisture constantly moisturizes the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, which helps to retain particles of dust and prevents the penetration of pathological microbes into the body.
Sea water - the benefits of losing weight
Bathing in salt water makes it possible to get a beautiful figure, make the body more attractive and fit. A high concentration of mineral salts and beneficial elements contributes to the rapid removal of toxins from the body. The effect of waves on the body is something akin to anti-cellulite massage. If regular bathing is combined with activity on the beach, fats in body tissues melt just before our eyes. The use of sea water for the human body in this case also lies in its iodized composition. It is this substance that burns excess reserves of fat in problem areas.
Strengthening gums and teeth
The benefits of seawater, in addition to the foregoing, are to strengthen teeth and gums. The presence of concentrated calcium and bromine in such a salty liquid looks like a good solution for its use in rinsing the oral cavity. However, it is recommended to use only pharmacy sea water for these purposes. Rinsing your teeth and gums directly off the coast is not worth it. Indeed, in such water, in addition to useful elements, many pathological microorganisms are contained.
Wound healing
Sea water is known for its wound healing effect. Bathing in it looks like a good solution for people who have all kinds of abrasions, cuts, traces from insect bites on their bodies. The concentrated mineral salts contained in such a liquid act like an antibiotic, disinfecting wounds. Thus, swimming in the sea leads to their speedy healing.
Features of swimming in various seas
Useful is a vacation absolutely on any coast. At the same time, being near a sea has its own characteristics:
- The Black Sea is a positive effect for the body due to the abundance of oxygen in the coastal space, a moderate amount of mineral salts in the water. Coniferous vegetation on the coast saturates the air with negatively charged ions and phytoncides, which have a calming effect on the nervous system.
- The Sea of Azov - is considered one of the most useful in the world. Its waters contain an abundance of iodine, hydrogen sulfide and bromine. Such elements are involved in the normalization of metabolic processes. The presence of healing mud in combination with moderately humid steppe air makes the Azov Sea a real hospital.
- Baltic Sea - one of the coolest waters. Therefore, the place looks ideal for people who decide to join the hardening of the body. The combination of substances that are released from pine wood with mineral salts helps to improve immunity.
- Dead Sea - waters contain the highest concentration of mineral salts. Such a composition activates metabolic processes in the body, improves blood circulation, has a beneficial effect on the skin condition.
Useful Tips
What is good and dangerous sea water? The benefits and harms of swimming in it will be considered further:
- Before entering the sea, it is advisable to spend about 10-15 minutes on the shore, being in the shade. This approach will avoid a shock state for the body due to temperature contrast.
- Arriving at the resort, for several days it is recommended to swim only once a day. Over time, it is worth increasing the number of sea baths to two or three. At the same time, it is better that the breaks between baths be at least half an hour.
- Do not linger in the sea until you turn blue. Hypothermia leads to a decrease in the protective functions of the body and, as a result, to the development of colds, cystitis, bronchitis, and other ailments. To prevent this from happening, upon exiting the water, rub the body vigorously with a towel.
- Swimming in the sea immediately after eating causes harm to health. However, one should not show excessive activity in water on an empty stomach. After all, with this behavior, distant swims can lead to the development of tachycardia and the emergence of a feeling of general malaise.
- When leaving the water, it is better to stand on the shore for several minutes, and not immediately run into the shower. The only way the skin will absorb the beneficial substances that are contained in the sea.
- Those for whom swimming and being in cool water is contraindicated due to poor health will benefit from douche and foot baths.