Most of our planet is covered with water. The body of man and animals consists almost entirely of it. Therefore, it is not surprising that water plays a leading role in the life of the creatures inhabiting the Earth. In our material, I would like to talk about what thalassotherapy is, what are the benefits and harms of swimming in sea water, how rest near the coast affects the state of the human body.
A few words about thalassotherapy
The concept of thalassotherapy was introduced by the famous German therapist Friedrich von Halem. The results of research on the benefits of swimming in the sea were presented to the public by a specialist back in the 18th century. A little later, the British physiologist Richard Russell wrote a treatise on the healing properties of salt water. Since that time, doctors began to consider swimming in the sea as an effective therapy for a wide variety of ailments.
Thanks to the expansion of knowledge in the field of thalassotherapy, the demand for the services of instructors who introduced the population to the secrets of keeping on the water increased markedly. After all, a few centuries ago, mainly sailors knew how to swim. Since the rest of the population simply did not see practical application in such a skill.
With the advent of the doctrine of thalassotherapy, many Europeans began to regularly visit the sea coast for recreation. The first coastal resorts began to appear in late XIX century. In the same period, bathing suits were invented, the fashion for which contributed to the introduction of people to swimming in the healing salt water.
Actually benefit sea water for a person was noted in the treatises of the ancient Greek scientist, physician and philosopher Hippocrates. It was he who first suggested using it for the purpose of healing wounds, eliminating bruises, as well as treating skin diseases, in particular, lichen and scabies. In those gray days, the benefits of sea water for joints were already known. It was believed that resting near the coast helps to eliminate ailments. nervous system. Sea water is often used as a laxative. She also treated headaches.
Composition of sea water
What are the benefits of sea water? Beneficial effect on the human body is due to its special mineral composition. Sea water contains the following substances:
- Mineral salts - contribute to the accelerated outflow of fluids from body tissues, accelerate metabolic processes in the body.
- Calcium - has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, eliminates depressive states, drives away insomnia, makes it possible to get rid of convulsive conditions, osteoporosis.
- Magnesium - prevents allergic manifestations, relieves nervousness and irritability.
- Potassium - normalizes blood pressure, prevents the occurrence of hypertensive conditions, relieves tissues from swelling.
- Iodine is an essential element for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. The trace element has a positive effect on intellectual activity.
- Iron - takes part in the formation of red blood cells, oxygen enrichment of body cells.
- Silicon - improves the condition of the skin, increasing its firmness and elasticity.
- Selenium - prevents the formation of pathological cells in tissues.
- Sulfur - disinfects the skin, effectively fights the development of all kinds of fungal manifestations.
Who benefits from swimming in the sea?
As modern studies show, the benefits of sea water for the body are, first of all, in the development of positive dynamics for the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Bathing in disperse the blood, saturate the body fluids with minerals and enrich the tissues with oxygen. For this reason, relaxing at sea is recommended for people who suffer from heart ailments, have problems with pathological jumps in blood pressure.
The benefits of sea water is the accelerated renewal of the cells of the human body. Bathing in it is recommended for people who have failures of metabolic processes in the body. Visiting sea resorts makes it possible to strengthen the immune system, calm the nervous system, and improve skin condition.
Of particular benefit is bathing in the sea for pregnant women, persons who are at the stage of rehabilitation after serious illnesses. After all, the sea is a real storehouse of minerals that are required for normal life and restoration of the body.
Sea air
Visiting brings great benefits to the organs respiratory system and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Staying under the sun helps open the pores of the epidermis. Thus, trace elements that are in the air are literally absorbed into the skin. It also contains negatively charged ions, volatile phytoncides, which are released from vegetation.
Evaporation of sea water, rich in salts and iodine, has a positive effect on the condition of the lungs. The tissues of the respiratory tract are gradually softened and cleared. That's why it's so easy to breathe on the coast. Moisture-saturated air constantly moisturizes the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, which helps to retain dust particles and prevents the penetration of pathological microbes into the body.
Sea water - benefits for weight loss
Bathing in salt water makes it possible to get a beautiful figure, make the body more attractive and toned. The high concentration of mineral salts and useful elements contributes to the rapid removal of toxins from the body. The impact of waves on the body is something akin to an anti-cellulite massage. If regular bathing is combined with activity on the shore, the fats in the tissues of the body melt before our eyes. The benefits of sea water for the human body in this case also lies in its iodized composition. It is this substance that burns excess fat reserves in problem areas.
Strengthening gums and teeth
The benefits of sea water, in addition to all of the above, is to strengthen the teeth and gums. The presence of concentrated calcium and bromine in such a salty liquid looks good decision for use in mouth rinses. However, it is recommended to use only pharmaceutical sea water for these purposes. It is not worth rinsing your teeth and gums directly off the coast. Indeed, in such water, in addition to useful elements, there are many pathological microorganisms.
Wound healing
Sea water is known for its healing effect. Bathing in it looks like a good solution for people who have all kinds of abrasions, cuts, insect bite marks on their bodies. The concentrated mineral salts contained in such a liquid act like an antibiotic, disinfecting wounds. Thus, swimming in the sea leads to their speedy healing.
Features of swimming in different seas
It is useful to rest absolutely at any coast. At the same time, being near a particular sea has its own characteristics:
- The Black Sea - a positive effect for the body due to the abundance of oxygen in the coastal space, a moderate amount of mineral salts in the water. Coniferous vegetation on the coast saturates the air with negatively charged ions and phytoncides, which have a calming effect on the nervous system.
- Sea of Azov - is considered one of the most useful in the world. Its waters contain an abundance of iodine, hydrogen sulfide and bromine. Such elements are involved in the normalization of metabolic processes. The presence of healing mud in combination with moderately humid steppe air makes Sea of Azov real clinic.
- The Baltic Sea is one of the coolest waters in the world. Therefore, the place looks ideal for people who decide to join the hardening of the body. The combination of substances that are released from pine wood with mineral salts helps to improve immunity.
- Dead Sea - waters contain the highest concentration of mineral salts. This composition activates metabolic processes in the body, improves blood circulation, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.
What is good and dangerous sea water? The benefits and harms of bathing in it are considered below:
- Before entering the sea, it is advisable to spend about 10-15 minutes on the shore, being in the shade. This approach will avoid a shock state for the body due to temperature contrast.
- Arriving at the resort, for several days it is recommended to swim only once a day. Over time, it is worth increasing the number of sea baths to two or three. At the same time, it is better that the breaks between bathing are at least half an hour.
- You should not linger in the sea until you are blue in the face. Hypothermia leads to a decrease in the protective functions of the body and, as a result, the development of colds, cystitis, bronchitis, and other ailments. To prevent this from happening, upon exiting the water, vigorously rub the body with a towel.
- Harm to health causes swimming in the sea immediately after eating. However, you should not be too active in water on an empty stomach. After all, with such behavior, long-distance swims can lead to the development of tachycardia and a feeling of general malaise.
- When leaving the water, it is better to stand on the shore for a few minutes, and not immediately run into the shower. Only in this way the skin will absorb useful material that are found in the sea.
- Those for whom swimming and being in cool water are contraindicated due to poor health will benefit from douches and foot baths.
The beneficial properties of sea water are explained by the composition. Its components are minerals and salts in a very high concentration. Among the components of sea water, the following should be noted: potassium, iron, chromium, gold, magnesium, calcium, barium and silver. Water is rich in negatively charged ions, which, when ingested, begin to neutralize harmful effect positively charged ions. No less water for nails, skin and hair.
After swimming in the sea, many people tend to quickly wash off the salt from the skin, but this is not right. If you want water to bring more benefits to your body, do not wash off the salt for at least three hours.
Useful properties of sea water
The water of the oceans and seas increases vitality and normalizes thermoregulation, strengthens the protective functions of the body and has a hardening effect. Sea water improves blood circulation, normalizes heart rate and increases the number of red blood cells, due to this, sea baths are prescribed to their patients.
Salt water is rich, which improves memory well and activates the brain, and also improves the activity of the thyroid gland. It is recommended to visit the sea more often, suffering from frequent colds and diseases of the ENT organs. And sea water also gives people a large amount of useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the hypothalamus, the endocrine system, and normalize metabolic processes.
It is very useful for people with diseases of the ENT organs to gargle and rinse their nose with warm sea water heated to 37 degrees. Please note that the water must be absolutely clean, without the presence of sand and sediment. Dentists advise rinsing your mouth with this healthy liquid, because sea water contains many more useful substances than the best. toothpaste. The oxygen contained in the water will help make your smile whiter.
Sea water is good for psoriasis and eczema. Rheumatic ailments and the consequences of injuries are successfully treated in combination with bathing in the sea.
According to thalassotherapy, the skin receives a lot of useful substances from sea water. Saturated with salts and minerals, the skin becomes elastic, elastic, puffiness decreases. Water is especially useful for problem skin, as it washes away excess fat and microbes from its surface, exfoliates dead particles.
Salt water perfectly sharpens not only stones, but also figures. A large concentration of nutrients helps to remove toxins from the body. Waves also produce a kind of massage. Bathing in sea water will replace you with nourishing hair masks and nail baths. After such a rest, your nails and hair will be significantly strengthened.
When it rains outside the window and the cold wind howls, you really want to move to where the sun shines all year round, a warm breeze blows and gentle waves whisper about happy moments of relaxation and doing nothing.
Even the memory of the sea makes you smile and uplifts your mood. Sea water has other wonderful properties. It has a complex healing effect on the entire human body.
A bit of history
References to the benefits of sea water, scientists found in the works ancient philosophers Euripides, Plato, Aristotle. The famous physician Hippocrates recommended the use of water for healing wounds, as well as for the treatment of skin diseases. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote of its successful use in women's ailments.
In the XVIII century, science returned to the study of this topic. The German scientist F.W. von Halem coined the term thalassotherapy. The British scientist R. Russell wrote a book about sea water, in which he called it a way to protect the body from damage and decay.
From about that time, the first resorts began to appear on the shores of the seas, where thalassotherapy was used.
What is thalassotherapy?
In Greek this word means sea treatment. This is a medical practice based on the use of warm sea water for various diseases.
Composition of sea water
The unique properties of sea water are associated primarily with its composition. Scientists have found in it almost all the elements of the periodic table of D. I. Mendeleev.
Conventionally, 5 groups are distinguished:
- Substances whose concentration is high enough are chlorides, sulfates, carbonates.
- Dissolved gases - O2, N2, carbon dioxide, etc.
- Substances of biological origin - P, Si.
- Dissolved trace elements, the content of which is less than 1 mg / l - Zn, Au, F, Ni.
- dissolved organics.
Each element in its own way affects the body, providing a certain effect. For example, bromine soothes, sulfur cleanses the skin from fungal diseases, calcium helps heal cuts and wounds, supports immunity, improves the condition of connective tissues, magnesium relieves swelling, participates in metabolism, iodine lowers cholesterol, normalizes hormone levels, develops mental capacity, zinc reduces the risk of developing tumors, silicon strengthens blood vessels.
This composition allows the use of sea water in various medicinal purposes. Gargle with it, wash the nose, take baths. But you can’t drink it to quench your thirst, because due to the presence of salts, a lot of resources are required to remove them from the body.
More about benefits
Total in the world 73 seas. They differ from each other in the degree of salinity. The Black and Azov Seas are slightly saline. Bathing in them is useful and has no contraindications for diseases.
- Swimming is a great form of physical activity. It replaces the workout in the gym. The sea provides a good opportunity to practice various swimming techniques in a natural environment, and not in a pool of chlorinated water. This is the best set of exercises. physiotherapy exercises for patients with osteochondrosis. The spine is stretched, the back is straightened. Physical activity in sea water has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, strengthening blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
- While swimming, the water light massaging effect. Cool water helps burn excess calories, strengthens the immune system, hardens, reduces cellulite. Warm (from 24 degrees) - promotes relaxation, relieves muscle tension, reduces stress.
- Acting on the skin at the cellular level, sea water enriches the body with microelements by improving metabolism. After water procedures, it is necessary to take a shower and wash off decay products and toxins removed through the skin.
- Salts dissolved in the sea speed up wound healing, relieve inflammation in eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne.
- Sea water is better than baths from nail salons strengthens nails. It is worth, of course, to remove the varnish, before going to the beach. Sea water is also suitable for the treatment of skin diseases of the head, hair strengthening.
- With water, the nose is washed with a runny nose, freeing it from the pathogenic environment.
- Contemplation of the sea surface or elements in a storm helps to find inner harmony, relaxes and calms, charges with positive energy.
- The noise of the waves affects the mood of a person, normalizes sleep.
Harm to the body
Do not forget that along with the positive aspects, the sea can significantly harm health. maritime climate has its own characteristics. Acclimatization can require a lot of strength. And sometimes, the benefit received will be negligible compared to negative consequences recreation. Therefore, the time spent by the sea should be long enough for the body to get used to the new environmental conditions.
And finally, some useful tips.
- To get the maximum benefit, it is better to swim and collect water for medicinal purposes on deserted beaches away from the coast. Sea water should not be stored, as it quickly loses its medicinal properties. Water above 24 degrees can be dangerous due to the rapid development of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms.
- Sea procedures, air and sun baths for the first time shouldn't last long. In order not to get bored, you can take time for excursions, trips to museums, exploring the sights of the city and its environs.
- You should consult with your doctor before travelling.. This condition should be mandatory for pregnant women, young children and people suffering from serious chronic diseases.
Sea water can be called a saturated brine, consisting of minerals, salts and almost the entire periodic table. Therefore, everyone should know about the benefits of sea water for our body.
Useful properties of sea water
Sea water has healing and cosmetic properties at the same time. It improves immunity and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, is involved in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. It also increases the level of red cells in the blood, normalizes thermoregulation, etc. While swimming in the sea, excess fat, dead skin cells and surface microbes are washed off. All this is possible due to the composition rich in useful substances, which includes:
- salt;
- mineral salts;
- atmospheric gases.
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- chromium;
- chlorine;
- barium;
- gold;
- silver, etc.
The more salts in the water, the more it will bring health benefits, for example, the Dead Sea, the most salty and has long been famous throughout the world for its healing properties.
Sea salt is very useful in cooking, and you can find it crushed and adapted for culinary purposes on the supermarket shelves. This is especially important for people living in a zone of high background radiation, for example, near nuclear power plants.
How is sea water useful for the body?
- Did you know that sea water is very beneficial for skin, nails and hair as it nourishes and strengthens them? Nails, saturated with potassium, calcium, magnesium and iodine, become stronger, stop, and the nail plate itself becomes whiter.
- With its healing properties, sea water is good for the skin and is better than using medicines, as it quickly heals wounds, acne and some skin diseases. Therefore, you should not wash yourself with fresh water immediately after swimming in the sea, give a couple more hours to your body to be saturated with useful substances as much as possible.
- Many doctors recommend visiting the sea every year in the summer, as even the sea air has a very beneficial effect on the respiratory system. Therefore, seaside holidays are especially useful for people suffering from various diseases of the bronchi and lungs, as well as for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. The closer you inhale the air near the sea, the more it is saturated with iodine, therefore, being in the water and on the shore, your body receives the prevention of thyroid diseases.
- For the cardiovascular system, bathing in sea water is no less useful than hardening. When you warm up in the sun, you enter the cool water, you feel goosebumps and a slight chill appear. At this point, your blood vessels constrict and blood rushes to internal organs, and when the body gets used to the temperature of the water, then there is an expansion of blood vessels and outflow of blood. Such charging strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes the heart rhythm and is the prevention of heart disease, etc.
- If rhinitis has broken out, then you can rinse the nasal passage with sea water, and gargling is recommended for sore throats. These procedures will disinfect the mucous membranes and saturate them with useful substances.
Many people prefer relaxing by the pool to swimming in the sea. And absolutely in vain, because sea water is a natural and safe medicine for many diseases.
Let's figure out what diseases can be cured with the help of sea bathing.
Runny nose, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis.
Rinsing the nose with salt water instantly makes breathing easier. Sea water, getting on the nasal mucosa, evaporates, taking with it excess moisture, and thereby relieves swelling. Approximately the same effect can be achieved with nasal drops, only in the case of drops, mucosal edema is reduced due to vasoconstriction. But unlike drops, sea water acts softer and is not addictive.
Bronchopulmonary diseases.
Calcium, sulfur and other minerals dissolved in seawater give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Just keep in mind, for those who want to improve the health of the respiratory system, it is better to choose resorts with dry air - the Mediterranean Sea, Crimea.
Relieves stress.
This is facilitated by compounds of iodine and bromine, which are saturated with sea water. In addition, there is a lot of magnesium in sea water, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the nervous system. Sunbathing only enhances the anti-stress effect of sea water. After all, seasonal mood disorders often arise from a lack of vitamin D, which is produced in the body under the influence of sunlight.
Skin diseases.
Eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis and acne can also be cured at sea. Salt water slightly dries the skin, eliminates inflammation and accelerates tissue regeneration.
Excess weight.
Sea water activates metabolic processes, stimulates blood circulation and removes excess fluid. In order for the weight loss effect to be most significant, it is better to bathe in cool water.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Any bathing trains blood vessels and the heart muscle due to temperature differences. But sea water, unlike fresh water, contains potassium - the main element for the health of the cardiovascular system.
Diseases of the teeth and gums.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea water maintains healthy gums, calcium dissolved in it strengthens tooth enamel, and salt particles reduce plaque deposits.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Sea water eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood circulation in the joint and strengthens the bones.
Bathing rules
For sea water to be beneficial, you need to follow some simple rules.
Try not to overcool.
For the water to work, it is enough to spend 10-15 minutes in it.
Do not run to the shower immediately after swimming.
Let the salt and beneficial elements remain on the skin for 15 minutes. But after that, a shower is required. After all, sea water has the ability to remove toxins from the body (usually through the pores of the skin and sweat glands), which must be washed off. In addition, salt water takes away natural moisture from the surface of the skin, and this leads to the appearance of wrinkles and increases the likelihood of sunburn.
Do not use water near the shore for rinsing and washing.
It is often contaminated. The purest water is at a depth of 2 meters. So you have to dive for it. If you don't know how, at least swim away from the shore for some distance.
Do not swim immediately after eating.
This can lead to digestive problems.
Where are we going?
Black Sea
Rest is useful for people with diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, lung disease).
Sea of Azov
Relieves stress, treats skin diseases, improves lung function, lowers blood pressure. Swimming in windy weather is especially useful - the surf raises healing silt from the bottom of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov.
Baltic Sea
Useful for heart patients, hypertensive patients, people with overweight and weakened immune systems.
Mediterranean Sea
Improves lung function, fights bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, strengthens the heart and relieves stress.
Red sea
Useful for skin diseases, stress and metabolic disorders.
Dead Sea
It treats eczema and psoriasis, due to the presence of therapeutic mud, it is recommended for people with sore joints.
4 naive questions
Is it possible to bring sea water with you and be treated at home?
Alas, sea water loses most of its useful resources in just a day. So stocking up is not possible. For the same reason, swimming in the sea is healthier than swimming in a pool of sea water.
Is it possible to prepare sea water from improvised means?
Boil a glass of water, then cool to a temperature of 37 degrees, pour in a teaspoon of sea salt, wait until the salt dissolves, add a drop of iodine and strain the solution through cheesecloth. Get water close to sea. However, natural water from the sea is still more useful, because in addition to salt and iodine, it contains other macro- and microelements, as well as beneficial microorganisms.
Which water is healthier - warm or cold?
Optimum temperature bathing water - 20-24 degrees. Colder water can cause colds or cystitis, and microbes begin to multiply in too warm sea water.
Can you drink sea water?
No, the removal of salts and minerals contained in sea water takes more liquid than is contained in salt water. Therefore, the use of sea water inside for more than 5-7 days in a row leads to dehydration.
