Exercising on a regular basis is essential for your general health and wellbeing, whether or not you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. You might want to think about swimming if you’re seeking a physical activity that will help you keep greater control over your blood sugar levels. Therefore, Diabetes and swimming remain a much-debated topics.
Swimming is not only enjoyable, but it also has a lot of other advantages that make it ideal for treating diabetes. Everyone can benefit from swimming, but those with diabetes or those who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes should do it more often.
Does Swimming Help With Diabetes?
Aerobic activity that is great for those with type 2 diabetes is swimming because it is gentle on the joints. Being lifted by the water is easier on your body than walking or jogging.
Diabetes And Swimming | Benefits Of Swimming For Diabetics
Swimming can have the following benefits for a diabetic person-
- Swimming gives you more energy, helps you in falling asleep faster and enhances your overall fitness.
- Help to make muscles stronger and improve coordination
- Help you with weight management
- The best exercise for your heart is swimming. It keeps your heart healthy and strong.
- Swimming is a fun physical exercise that is good for your mental health, whether you do it alone or with a group.
- Keeps ligaments and joints flexible, strengthens the heart, and burns calories.
Swimming And Diabetes Management
Some people are concerned that swimming may cause an excessive drop in blood glucose (sugar) levels, increasing their risk of hypoglycemia. However, many factors can influence blood sugar levels, and for some people, swimming may make them higher than usual. It’s important to regularly check your blood sugar because we are aware that this could make you feel scared or anxious. To ensure your safety, you can always consult your medical team for suggestions on how to safely manage your diabetes while swimming.
Diabetes And Swimming – What Precautions Should You Take?
Being a diabetic, you need to be extra careful when it comes to opting for physical exercises. they should not be too strenuous as they can lead to a fluctuation in your sugar levels.
- To learn how your body reacts to exercise, check your blood sugar before and after swimming.
- Before each session, let the lifeguard know that you have diabetes.
- Around the pool and in the locker rooms, wear your shower sandals. This will lessen the possibility of cutting, bruising, or developing an athlete’s foot on your feet.
- Maintain regular checkups on your blood sugar levels because prolonged swimming while diabetic might result in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar from fatigue.
- Keep your glucose meter, glucose pills, and doctor-recommended snacks close at hand in case your blood sugar drops.
- Find out if the insulin pump you use is splash-proof, waterproof, or both.
- You can swim if you have visual issues, but you should speak with your doctor first to make sure diving into the pool is safe for you.
- Hydrate yourself- Even though you might not see it, you still sweat a lot while in the water. Every time you check your blood glucose, consume at least 250 ml/ one glass of water.
Read More – Practice These 5 Exercises For Diabetes At Home
People having diabetes can benefit greatly from aerobic exercise. They help manage blood sugar, promote heart health, and lessen stress. Reaching your objective of aerobic activity is easy with swimming. It can also be continued forever because it has little impact! Before beginning any new physical activity program, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider. Follow all the recommendations given by your health coach if you wish to keep your sugar levels within the controlled range. Also, do not forget to monitor your sugar levels on a regular basis.
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