CDC. Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. In addition to the many physical benefits, there are multiple studies supporting the mental health benefits of swimming as well.
Petra makes sure to take time for self-care and rest to recharge. “Enjoying relax mode🧘🏼 ♀️ I have a few more days of rest before training starts again. 💃🏼 And it feels so good to relax reading beautiful messages like this one✨ It will give you a lot of energy to get going,” she captioned a post.
While training for the Olympics, Petra did a lot of strength training. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
She also took cold plunges as part of her recovery. There is limited research supporting the benefits of cold plunges, which may include easing sore muscles, bringing body temperature down, increased focus, improved sleep, and decreased inflammation, per the Cleveland Clinic. However, a 2021 study found that cold water immersion therapy promotes basic post-sport recovery.
In her latest post Petra goes running. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.