What are the benefits of being a mermaid? Well, there are so many! Mermaiding is a fun sport, hobby, and profession enjoyed by thousands of merfolk around the world. And for good reason!
Some people don't understand why so many people are trading their feet for fins. We get called "weird" and "immature" but we don't care, because we love mermaiding so much! Here's why:
Mermaiding is fun!
There are many reasons humans are so inclined towards seeking fun activities. Having fun come naturally to us! Fun activities increase dopamine, which can help us cope with the harsh realities of life.
Some people play games, some watch movies, some do outside activities for fun. Then there are people like me, who wear mermaid tails and go swimming!
The main answer I give when people ask "Why do you wear mermaid tails?" is that it is just pure fun. Activating my imagination, swimming around and playing pretend while wearing a beautiful tail? What's not to enjoy.
When life gets serious, become a mermaid!
Mermaiding is good exercise
Did you know you can burn up to 600 calories an hour by swimming as a mermaid? While mermaiding is a fun activity, it is also an excellent full body workout!
You use almost every muscle in your body when you swim as a mermaid, especially your legs, arms, and core.
So, skip the gym machines and hit the pool with your mermaid tail or monofin instead. Mermaiding is a low resistance form of exercise, so you can rest easy knowing you're not putting too much stress on your body and joints from it.
Mermaiding is good for your mental health
Mermaiding is a highly therapeutic activity. Firstly, exercise is great for your mental health because it releases endorphins, and I've already mentioned what a good workout mermaiding is.
It also helps us to feel confident! When you wear a mermaid tail you embody the character of a mermaid, who are known for being beautiful and powerful creatures.
Mermaiding is a form of imaginative play, which normally is associated with children, but it also has significant benefits for adults, such as stress relief and a creativity boost.
Mermaiding brings people together
Mermaiding is a great activity to help people bond. You can take a class with friends to learn mermaiding, which is a great group activity for bonding. You can also meet other merpeople there!
Mermaiding is such a unique activity that some people can't resist talking to you when they see you out in public as a mermaid. I remember meeting a lifelong friend at a pool where I was swimming as a mermaid.
I've always loved when my friends wanted to try out my mermaid tails. Sometimes we would all wear mermaid tails and we'd swim together and do a mermaid photoshoot. These are wonderful memories!
You can also get involved in the mermaid community by interacting with other merpeople on social media, or attending mermaid conventions and festivals.
Mermaiding improves swimming skills
Frequently practicing swimming in a mermaid tail can really help to improve your swimming skills. Not only are you building up muscle memory, but you are improving your stamina, buoyancy, balance, strength, and tolerance to cold water and chlorine.
Many athletes and freedivers practice the dolphin kick, which is the swim stroke utilized by mermaid swimmers. Swimming in a mermaid tail is good for improving swimming the butterfly stroke and freediving in a monofin.
The more you swim as a mermaid, the better your swimming skills will be.
Those are the main benefits of mermaiding. Thanks for reading this article! Check out more of my mermaid blog to learn about mermaiding and all things mermaid related.
About the author
Shello! My name is Mermaid Liv, a professional mermaid and content creator. I share my love of mermaiding through this blog, along with my Youtube channel.
If you've never heard of it before, mermaiding is a hobby, profession, and sport that involves wearing mermaid tails made for swimming.
I began making tails in 2013 and have continued my mermaid journey, starting my Youtube channel, working at a mermaid festival, performing at gigs, and being featured in the Netflix Docu Series MerPeople.
Follow me on Instagram for mermaid photos and videos: @the_real_mermaid_liv and be *shore* to check out my Youtube channel.
Have a magical day!