Vardaris: great beach just 30 minutes from Omonia square

Hearing the name “Vardaris”, everyone usually thinks of Thessaloniki. But if you were told that there is beach called Vardaristhen you would probably look for it somewhere in Halkidiki.

Personal opinion

How many years I have been living in Greece, I never cease to be surprised and I will tell you a secret that I envy with white envy the wizened old men and old women over 80 who swim in the sea all year round. It happens that you walk along the embankment, wrap yourself in a fur coat from the wind penetrating through, and they swim to their health … What good fellows! You need to join them.

But in fact, the beautiful beach of Vardaris is located just a 30-minute drive from the center of Athens, very close to Megara. This is a relatively unknown and quiet beach, not organized. Fans of economical holidays who could not go on vacation in August will like it.

There are two benefits – the beach is free and located near the center of Athens. Take the time and effort to plunge into the cool sea waters. After all, this is a guarantee of health for the coming winter.

Life is difficult and demanding for people at any age, but after 65 we are faced with a new world in which health problems, alas, are on the rise. Our weapons to fight them are recreational activities. Some of the ailments can be prevented or delayed simply by incorporating exercise into your daily routine.

However, older people often find it difficult to stay active. Among other things, bone and joint pain can make exercise difficult, which is why they are the least likely to want to do it. However swimming or exercising in the water allow you to improve your physical condition without straining your joints.

Swimming benefits health, improves mood, alertness and therefore provides a good quality of life for men and women over 65 years of age. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that swimming and exercising in water may be the best form of exercise. to reduce the risk of falls in older people (and as a result, a hip fracture, after which the person usually becomes recumbent, and there … the prognosis is even worse).

Unlike many other types of exercise, swimming promotes improving balance and strengthening the muscles of the body, at the same time, it has a gentle effect on the musculoskeletal system with a minimal risk of injury,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dimitris Trianthafillopoulos, director of the orthopedic clinic.

Benefits of swimming for seniors

Strengthens the body
The passage of time negatively affects the body, which gradually loses strength and endurance. Swimming and regular water exercise help maintain a healthy weight, which is key to preventing many diseases and injuries, as well as reducing chronic pain in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia (the connective tissue sheaths of muscles).

Strengthens muscles

Aging is always accompanied by a loss of muscle mass, which leads to a decrease in strength. Swimming is good for the joints and at the same time stimulates all the muscles of the body due to the resistance of water, which is about twelve times denser than air. The bather feels like he is only carrying half his weight. Walking in water (to the waist) also plays a significant role in healing and strengthening the body.

Increases flexibility
Staying flexible can help prevent injury. Aging deprives a person of mobility and flexibility, but swimming interrupts this process. The joints continue to move in their normal range without pain, and the muscles become strong enough to support the joints. Swimming also helps improve coordination, reduce pain, and improve posture.

Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
A decrease in bone density reduces the quality of life of millions of postmenopausal women and makes them vulnerable to arthritis, etc. Bone loss and deterioration of bone microarchitecture are directly related to a decrease in bone strength and, as a result, an increased risk of fractures, which ultimately leads to conditions clinically known as osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures cause excessive morbidity, chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and hospitalizations in long-term care facilities. Activities such as swimming can reduce these risks by increasing bone density. Aqua aerobics, which includes walking in water, dancing, and other aerobic exercises, is a way to slow down bone loss.

“Swimming and water activities are ideal exercises for the elderly. This is a pleasant way to strengthen the musculoskeletal system, as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. At the same time, it is an inexpensive way to avoid weight gain and helps prevent osteoarthritis, one of the main causes of pain and disability. “First of all, however, it contributes to the prevention of fractures due to falls or osteoporosis, which have a high mortality,” says Dr. Dimitris Trianthafillopoulos.

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