Water Activities as Self-Care

Water activities offer a refreshing way to incorporate self-care into your routine, providing both physical and mental benefits.

Swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and even a simple soak in a bath can promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Here's how water activities can enhance self-care: 

Physical Benefits

• Cardiovascular Fitness: Swimming and other water-based exercises improve heart and lung function.

• Low-Impact Exercise: Water provides resistance, making exercise gentle on joints. 

• Muscle Strengthening: The water's resistance helps build and tone muscles.

• Weight Management: Swimming is a calorie-burning activity.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

• Stress Reduction: The feeling of water and the rhythm of movement can be calming.

• Improved Mood: Exercise releases endorphins, which boost mood. 

• Better Sleep: Regular water activity can improve sleep patterns. 

Types of Water Activities for Self-Care

• Swimming: Whether in a pool, lake, or ocean, swimming offers a great low-impact workout. 

• Kayaking or Paddleboarding: Enjoy the scenery and get a full-body workout.

• Soaking in a Bath: Add some scented oils or epsom salts for a relaxing spa-like experience. 

• Water Aerobics: A fun and challenging way to get exercise and improve your mood.

• Sensory Water Play: For children, engaging in water play with various objects and toys can be a fun and educational activity. 

Tips for Making Water Activities a Self-Care Ritual

• Create a Relaxing Environment: Make your bath or pool area feel like a spa by using aromatherapy, lighting candles, or playing calming music. 

• Set Realistic Goals: Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as you feel comfortable. 

• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals and take breaks when needed. 

• Make it a Routine: Schedule regular time for water activities to make it a consistent part of your self-care routine.

Remember:

For optimal health, you need to get into water and get water into you!

Water is essential to every function of the human body. It serves as the primary building block of cells, regulates internal temperature, transports nutrients, and flushes waste. In Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj emphasizes that chronic dehydration is often misinterpreted as illness. He argues that many common conditions—such as fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, and digestive problems—may actually stem from the body’s unrecognized need for water rather than medication.

Dr. Batmanghelidj’s research, conducted in part while treating patients in an Iranian prison, revealed that simply drinking more water significantly alleviated a range of health complaints. He insisted that thirst is not a reliable indicator—by the time we feel thirsty, our body is already dehydrated. Water, he explains, is involved in the electrical activity of cells, joint lubrication, and even the prevention of DNA damage.

The body is composed of about 60% water, and every system—circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and nervous—relies on its presence to function efficiently. Replacing sugary drinks and caffeine with pure water can restore balance and support healing. As Dr. Batmanghelidj famously stated, “You’re not sick, you’re thirsty!”—a reminder that hydration is one of the simplest and most powerful forms of self-care.

Suggested reading: Your Body's Many Cries for Water by  F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.