How a pool can shape your life for the better

Your swimming pool can potentially be the key to a healthier, longer life. Whether you realize it or not, just about everyone can benefit from using it, whether they're an occasional swimmer or an aquatic-exercise enthusiast. Here are some reasons you shouldn't hesitate to dive right in the water.

Studies indicate swimming benefits
A recent study conducted by the Cooper Clinic in Dallas suggested that swimmers typically have better blood pressure, cholesterol and energy output than people who walk or are inactive, reported Harvard Health. The study consisted of about 46,000 participants who walked, ran, swam or sat on the couch. Overall, swimming ranked about as high as running did in terms of health benefits.

The ripple effect
These findings indicate that swimming segues into a number of good things for the body. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is something more than 67 million Americans have, which is the equivalent of one in every three adults. 

Anyone can get high blood pressure, including children, and it can lead to heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the country, according to the CDC. For this reason alone, people need to be particularly cognizant and careful of blood pressure levels – even early on in life. 

High cholesterol is pegged as a culprit of both heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol becomes problematic when there's too much of it in the blood, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Excessive amounts tend to build up on the walls of the arteries, making it more difficult for blood to circulate. Linked with hypertension, which causes blood to pump faster, the two can be a lethal duo. 

Swimming just the start
If you'd like to work towards achieving healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, be sure to swim on a regular basis but also take steps to lead an overall healthy life. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care suggests the following to lower cholesterol:

• Quit smoking
• Modify diet so that you decrease your amount of fat intake
• Take action to lower stress levels
• Be cognizant of the types of fat you're eating, specifically quality.

Combining these tips with regular swimming habits can reduce your risk of some of the top-killing diseases in the nation. What's more, they make you a stronger overall. If you plan to use your pool as a means of exercise, just remember that maintenance is important.

Using the pool an increasing amount means the pH and chlorine levels will fluctuate more frequently. It can also mean that, like a piece of gym equipment that you use all of the time, you might also need to have parts replaced more often. Whether your pool needs a chemical balance or you'd like to install or repair a feature, call Fort Worth, San Diego or Phoenix pool service professionals. 

Start swimming more so that you can be a healthier version of yourself.