Swimming: Why It Matters for the Body and the Brain Beyond the Skin — JM at Gangnam Station Dermatology.

When providing treatment,

I receive many questions about skin care.

Most of them are about

which procedures are good and which devices are

effective.

But there is one thing I always make sure to say.

The skin ultimately reflects

the state of the body.

That is why, just as much as procedures,

I often talk about everyday habits,

especially exercise.

Among them, the exercise I personally

consider the most important is

“swimming.”

Changes that happen in the water

_An exercise that the brain responds to

Swimming is known as an exercise that

creates various changes in the brain,

beyond being a simple physical activity.

In particular, the secretion of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)

increases,

and this is explained as a factor involved in

the creation of new nerve cells and

improved brain plasticity.

These changes are

also connected to

learning ability and memory.

In addition, regular movement and breathing

in water help stabilize

the brain’s amygdala,

which can

reduce anxiety and

have a positive effect on

maintaining emotional stability.

_Time to organize your thoughts

Another 특징 of swimming is

that external stimuli are naturally

reduced.

In water,

vision,

auditory input,

and external information are limited,

creating a kind of sensory deprivation environment.

This environment induces a state

similar to meditation and can help with

improved concentration and mental rest.

It also naturally provides time to step away from

digital devices such as smartphones

and focus on yourself.

In today’s information-overloaded environment,

this kind of digital detox itself

can become a meaningful recovery process.

_Parasympathetic nerves and recovery

The moment your face touches the water while swimming,

the “dive reflex” is activated.

This response induces changes such as

reduced heart rate,

vasoconstriction,

and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system,

which work in the direction of relaxing the body.

Also, thanks to the buoyancy of water,

exercise is possible with less strain on the joints,

so benefits such as

reduced joint burden,

use in rehabilitation exercise,

and improved whole-body circulation

can also be expected.

It is also often mentioned that

a regular swim of just 20 minutes,

twice a week,

can help with fatigue recovery.

In the end, everything is connected.

Swimming is not simply

a workout to build fitness;

it is an exercise that also affects the flow of thought.

The repetitive and

rhythmic movement in water can help induce

structured thinking and

deep reflection rather than

divergent thinking.

These characteristics can also have

a positive effect in the process of

organizing problems and

setting direction.

Why I recommend swimming

While providing treatment at Gangnam Station Dermatology,

even when carrying out laser procedures or various

treatments,

the reason I do not simply end with the procedure

and instead also talk about lifestyle habits is this.

Swimming is

a rare form of exercise that allows you to consider

brain function,

mental stability,

and physical recovery

all at the same time.

For reference, I personally

swim consistently

more than 4 times a week.

On days when I go swimming, more than just

simply feeling less tired,

there are many times when I feel that my mind becomes clearer.

Swimming is a full-body exercise that can have a deep

impact on brain health and mental health,

beyond being a simple physical activity.

This activity in the water

works together with brain function, stress regulation, and physical recovery,

and as a result, can help create balance in life.

The skin, too,

can maintain a slightly more stable state

on top of that balance.

At Gangnam Station Dermatology,

we consider it important not to approach the skin

only through procedures,

but to understand it together with the body and the flow of daily life,

as in this way.

The weather is gradually

getting warmer.

This summer,

even starting to swim lightly

can be a good choice.