5 Benefits Of Swimming At Night During Hot Weather

With the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) announcing that most parts of Kenya will experience dry weather conditions for the first three months of 2023, temperatures have been hitting as high as 30 degrees in Nairobi, and up to 32 degrees in Mombasa and other coastal towns.

That being said, with the sweltering heat comes a number of ideas streaming into Kenyans' minds. Among them are dressing light during the warm weather, grabbing your favourite ice cream in the afternoons or a cold drink to cool off, or taking a dip in the swimming pool.

However, there lies an issue. Even though swimming should be a vital skill for every human being to have, most Kenyans are stuck on several day hustles or activities, be it during weekdays or weekends, thus they are left with only two options; swim in the evening or at night.

If you are lucky to find a swimming pool that doesn't close for the night, nothing is more peaceful than relaxing in a warm pool while stargazing on a gorgeous night. If you happen to own a swimming pool, you are at a greater advantage than everyone else, but also have no excuses not to swim at night.

A swimming pool at a hotel at night. /TRIP ADVISOR

"Swimming in the evening improves your metabolism and general well-being. Let's dive in," tweeted Jem Guru on Tuesday, February 7.

Viral Tea takes a look at the benefits of swimming at night:

1. Minimize Your Sun Exposure

According to San Diego Pools, some exposure to sunlight is beneficial, since it’s a reliable source of Vitamin D. However, too much sun exposure can affect your skin and contribute to other issues.

In addition, not only is it always easy to keep sunscreen properly applied while swimming but affording the sunscreen lotion in itself is a tall order for many Kenyans. Some renowned brands charge their sunscreen lotions for as high as Ksh1,000.

Even a “water-resistant” sunscreen will be decreasingly effective when you’re submerged in water (and the FDA no longer allows claims of their being “waterproof”).

Therefore, by swimming at night, you’ll minimize your sun exposure while still reaping the many rewards swimming has to offer. It also eliminates the need to protect yourself from those harmful Ultraviolet (UVA) or UVB rays.

2. Improve Your Sleep

Your daily activities, whether they involve working out, work-related tasks, or just a lot of general movement, can leave you with sore muscles that make it difficult to sleep soundly.

Swimming (or even just relaxing in the pool) can help you sleep better and fight insomnia. It is unique in that it utilizes all the major muscle groups, which tires the body more evenly and efficiently than other exercise routines.

Because swimming is a low-impact exercise, it doesn’t put stress on the muscles which can negatively affect sleeping patterns. If you like to keep your water warm, that can help even more by relaxing the muscles.

3. Provide More Time to Swim

If you find yourself less pressed for time later in the day, you can enjoy swimming at night without having to stick to a busy to-do list.

For instance, you might finish up your dinner routine and any chores in your house, then head to your pool for a swim until you naturally feel like you’ve put in a good workout. This way, you won’t view swimming as just another thing you have to find time for during a busy day.

4. Help You Burn Calories & Stay Fit

It’s not unusual to have occasional “calorie regrets” as your day winds down and you realize you may have overindulged a bit here and there. Swimming at night gives you a chance to burn off some of those extra calories in a more relaxed way.

You can also use night swimming to help with your fitness goals. For instance, on days when you can’t get to the gym or do your normal workout routine, swimming can be a great way to target the same muscle groups.

5. De-Stress After a Long Day

From raising your blood pressure to increasing your risk of heart issues and diabetes, there are many ways stress can affect your health.

If you normally feel stressed after a long day, swimming at night can be a great way to relax and restore your own personal sense of calm and peace.

A person swimming at night. /FILE