You may not realise it, but buying a boat has many health benefits for you on top of the recreational and cost benefits. Buying a boat not only gives you the pride of ownership and the freedom to escape onto the water whenever you please, but it can also have a very positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing. Here are just a few ways owning a boat can help you having a healthier outlook and sense of accomplishment.

Stress less, relax more

Recreational boating gives you the perfect opportunity to take some time out and escape the grind of daily life. It can get incredibly stressful day to day, with problems concerning your job, money, family and friends all bearing down on you and making it practically impossible to relax and stress less. It can certainly wear you down, and no matter what you do and how many issues you fix, there always seems to be another problem needing to be solved.

But owning a boat goes a long way towards improving your overall quality of life, by giving you the possibility of freedom and escape whenever you please. It allows you to leave your problems behind and simply enjoy the pleasure of being on the water. It gives you a constructive means of entertainment that reduces stress and provides numerous opportunities for enjoyment and discovery. You could learn a new skill, perhaps how to wakeboard or water ski, or just enjoy the peace of a sunset on quiet waters. Take some time out as you hop in your boat and glide across the water – your problems will seem unimportant and your stress will fade away.

Have time away with the people you love

Sometimes the best part about owning a boat isn’t the extreme water sports or the number of fish you can catch; sometimes the best part is the opportunity to spend time and have fun with your friends and family. Quality time spent together without the TV, computer or video games is a relaxing experience that brings you closer together and can create many memories.

You will have a lot more freedom in when and where you spend time together, and it will open up many prospects for activities that wouldn’t be possible without your boat. Learn to water ski, go for a day trip and explore the coast, spend the afternoon fishing, or host a fun and interesting party or get-together just off the shore. The options are endless, giving you numerous opportunities to relax and enjoy quality time with the people you love the most.

Enjoy getting back to nature

Nature is a proven stress reliever, and what could be better than being out on the water surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature on your own private boat? Away from crowds of people, deadlines and the pressure of work, you are sure to feel relaxed and at peace. You can go for a swim off your boat in a quiet stretch of water, or sit back and go fishing and see what you can catch. Owning a boat allows you to have the best of the water in your own way and in your own time, without constraints.

Exercise and enjoy it

If you find it difficult to find the motivation to exercise even though you know it’s good for you, then your boat could be the perfect solution. It provides many opportunities to raise your heart rate, whether it’s a sailing excursion, wakeboarding, snorkelling, water skiing or simply swimming. It’s easy to find motivation to exercise when you’re out on the water, because all the ways to exercise are fun and you’re bound to get caught up in it. Even just sailing back to shore with the wind in your face can get your heart beating faster.

So forget about forcing yourself to go to the gym every couple of days, or splurging on a treadmill that you’ll only use once or twice. Owning a boat is the enjoyable way to exercise – so much so in fact, that you won’t even realise you’re doing it.

Feel engaged and rewarded

As well as being great for your physical health and wellbeing, recreational boating also has a positive impact on your mind and soul. It’s an engaging and rewarding activity that will make you feel good and bring you pleasure, time and time again. Enjoy the satisfaction that comes with teaching your children how to sail or secure a fishing line, and then sit back and watch as they grow up learning to love the water. Reap the rewards that come with catching and cooking your own meal, or successfully learning to stand up on water skis.

You will gain confidence as your knowledge and skills grow, and you’ll have the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to your children or your friends and family. It’s a wholly rewarding experience that will keep you engaged and involved for as long as you are able.

Recreational boating has so many benefits for your body and mind, so what are you waiting for? Get out on the water today!