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Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Kayaking

IMR Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Kayaking

Kayaking is a recreational activity that can easily connect you to nature.

It is for everyone looking for an adventure-filled yet relaxing experience outdoors — a great escape from the city-borne stressors. All your cares and problems are left at the bank.
Aside from the fun and enjoyment, did you know that kayaking has many health benefits?

It has been proven to impact both physical and mental health positively, so if you haven’t tried kayaking yet, now’s the time to include it on your bucket list. Take a look at these health benefits of kayaking to understand how it can improve your overall wellbeing.

Physical Benefits of Kayaking

Here are the benefits of kayaking for your physical health:

1. Enhances Stamina and Endurance

The hours you spend kayaking improve your stamina and endurance. It may be unnoticeable at first, but it will become easier to paddle and navigate different and more expansive bodies of water the more you go at it without getting exhausted.

This benefits your daily life as you’ll have more stamina for your everyday activities and tasks.

2. Manages Weight Loss

If you kayak for five miles in an hour, you’ll burn up to 500 calories.

Sure, running on a treadmill helps burn calories as well, but why stick to one dull spot when it’s way more thrilling to be out on crystal-clear waters? Kayaking also burns more calories than jogging, which burns approximately 400 calories per hour, so incorporate it into your weight loss workout routine to achieve faster results.

3. Improves Heart Health

Kayaking is considered one of the best forms of cardiac exercise. It strengthens the heart, improving its ability to regulate circulation and pump blood, helping maintain blood pressure at normal levels. With a healthy heart, you will have a sufficient oxygen supply to the brain and other organs and have a higher red blood cell count. The more time you spend kayaking, the more it boosts heart health.

4. Increases Upper Body Strength

Not only does paddling a kayak propel you through the body of water you’re traversing, but it also strengthens your upper body. Paddling does not purely rely on arm strength, but it also uses adjacent muscles, such as your shoulders, back, and chest. The more use these muscles, the more they become strengthened, toned, and stabilized.

5. Improves Core Strength

When you kayak, your body makes a twisting motion that works the muscles in your lower back, obliques, and abs. This motion strengthens the muscles around your spine, leading to a more stabilized and stronger core. Even sitting upright on a kayak already uses core muscles, so you automatically get a rigorous core workout every time you go kayaking.

6. Tones Legs

Many people don’t realize that kayaking uses leg muscles as well. Although it is more of an upper body and core workout, it also helps tone the legs, especially when balancing, maneuvering, and changing directions. While the upper body and core do all the heavy lifting, the legs are also quietly toned.

Mental Benefits of Kayaking

Along with the physical benefits, here are the mental health benefits of kayaking:

1. Provides Better Sleep

If you often have difficulty sleeping at night, kayaking can benefit you. Exercising or working out during the daytime makes you feel tired, causing you to fall asleep quickly and soundly without needing melatonin supplements. Once you try kayaking, you’ll realize how it can improve your sleep quality. You’ll wake up every day ready with more energy for another kayak bout.

2. Boosts Mood

Kayaking boosts your mood and reduces stress levels. Studies have proven that performing physical activities and spending time outdoors contribute to lower stress levels. Additionally, kayaking promotes the release of neurotransmitters — such as serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine — which boost confidence levels and mood. If you’re suffering from a mental health illness, kayaking is a great way to keep your mental state in check, especially when coupled with your prescriptions.

3. Enhances Memory

Regular workouts brought about by kayaking improve memory and thinking skills. It exercises your hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for learning and verbal memory. The increase in blood flow caused by kayaking also stimulates cell genesis in the brain.

4. Improves Focus

As was said, kayaking promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine. With the addition of norepinephrine — another neurotransmitter released through kayaking — kayaking also helps improve your focus and attention span.

Best Time for Kayaking

If you plan to include kayaking in your workout routine for a healthier life, the best time to do it is during the warm season. Spring and summer are the perfect times to ride a kayak. It’s best done in the morning as winds tend to pick up during the afternoon, making it challenging to navigate the waters. Regardless of the time, make sure you always bring a personal flotation device to ensure safety.

Hop on a Kayak

Now that you know the benefits of kayaking, you have no reason not to incorporate it into your workout plan.

Island Marine Rentals is the go-to provider of the best kayak rentals in Florida. We also provide the best bikes, scooters, paddle boards, and boat rentals in Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Contact us if you have any inquires or questions about our rental services.

We look forward to being a part of your path to a healthier life with our kayaks. Call us today!

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