What regular swimming does for the body and mind

For frontline worker Dr. Mark Lieber, swimming is a great release that boosts his mood. A regular dip in the pool has relieved the stress of pandemic life, he said, but the benefits go well beyond a momentary lift in spirits.

My first thought as I dove under the surface of the water was that I felt a little more buoyant than usual, likely due to the added pounds brought on by quarantine. But as I continued to glide through the water, my initial concern about weight gain was replaced by a feeling of catharsis, as though the water were cleansing me of the stress that had accumulated during the coronavirus pandemic. Stroke after stroke, I could feel my mood lifting, my mind clearing and my body loosening. Thirty minutes later, I got out of the pool feeling confident and level-headed, ready to begin the first of four night shifts in the intensive care unit. I usually dread the first of these night shifts, but somehow the task seemed more manageable than usual. "Whatever happens tonight, happens," I told myself encouragingly. "No matter what, there will always be tomorrow."