Learning to surf at our surf camp in beautiful Hossegor is a thrilling time! Did you know surfing also has a ton of health benefits? Not only can you take in the beauty of the sights around you, but you can improve your health while you do it! Below are some of the ways that surfing can help keep you healthy:
When you surf, you need to align yourself on the board to ride the waves properly. Without balance, you would not be able to remain standing on the surfboard. Over time, as you learn, you will notice your body has an easier time balancing on the board. Balance can be applied to many other activities as well, such as bike riding, yoga, and other exercises. Balance is key to surfing.
If you're looking to include cardio into your workout, surfing is the way to go. Surfing can significantly improve your heart health! Essentially, through paddling, you are exerting much energy, and it requires fitness. Consistent paddling gets your cardiovascular muscle pumping, which helps increase your overall heart health. Surfing lowers your blood pressure, which decreases your risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other diseases.
If you are Vitamin D deficient, surfing may help! When you're surfing, you're out in the sun all day, and your body is soaking up vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for healthy and strong bones. Being deficient in Vitamin D can lead to low energy, poor mood, and fatigue. By being out in the fresh sea air, you can improve your bone health and overall mood!
Are you looking to enhance your upper body strength? By paddling through the waves and lifting yourself on your board, you enable your back and shoulder muscles to work hard, specifically your deltoid, pectoral, lumbar, and rotator cuff. Having a strong back leads to better balance, flexibility, and endurance, which are all essential for surfing.
We go through a lot during our day to day lives. Heading out on the waves and taking in fresh air is excellent for your mental health. Stress can affect your body, work-life, and make general activities difficult. Surfing releases stress hormones such as cortisol and endorphins that can improve your mood and reduce any pain you have. If you find yourself consistently feeling anxious or overwhelmed or experiencing headaches and restlessness, surfing is a great choice.
Not only does surfing help with your body, but it can improve your hair and skin health as well! Seaweed and saltwater are often ingredients found in some blemish fighting skincare. When you're out on the waves, you are naturally having access to those things. Also, saltwater acts as an exfoliant for your skin, scalp, and hair. Essentially surfing is a natural beauty enhancement!
Surfing can help you fall asleep faster at night and promote more restful sleep. Your body needs to repair the muscles worked from the day before. Surfing entails the use of your entire body, which helps you feel exhausted at the end of the day and allows for a longer, deeper sleep.