Spending time on the beach is a valuable luxury that can
offer several great physical, mental and emotional advantages. In addition to
the calming stroll by the shore, the relaxing warmth of the summer sunlight
coating your skin, or simply just overall great memories, these 10 health perks
are just a few of the many benefits of spending a day on the beach.
1. Stress Reduction
Studies
have shown that engaging with nature in places such as the beach, has shown
that people will have an increased sense of safety, ultimately resulting in
increased relaxation. Through the rising notion of the comfortable, safe
feeling, blood pressure is lowered as well as stress hormone levels.
2. Change of Scenery
Getting away from the normal pattern of everyday life is
another great tool for managing stress. Being at the beach can put you in a
completely different environment that can benefit your overall well-being.
Additionally, a
study in the International Journal of Mental Health showed that
being in blue spaces, such as by the beach, has shown positive impacts on
mental health and depression. Immersing oneself in such a novel, beneficial surrounding
as the beach is a great way to improve your mental well-being.
3. Exercise
Spending a day on the beach is a fantastic way to get in a
healthy, alternative workout. Running or walking on the sand can help engage
the legs differently than the normal treadmill or walking on the pavement as
the sand engages with the stabilization and strength of joints and muscles.
Similarly, swimming or wading through the waves is another fantastic exercise
that’s hard to find anywhere else but on the beach!
4. Healthy Air
The sweet scent of the salt air on the beach has a ton of
health benefits as well! Breathing in salt air has
been shown to improve respiratory illnesses such as cystic fibrosis,
bronchitis, asthma, sinuses and the general immune system.
5. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that directly assists in
immune health through resistance to diseases, combatting depression, as well as
the development and strength of bones and teeth. One of the premier sources of
getting in the daily dose of vitamin D is sunlight exposure. Soaking in the sun
rays by the beach is a great way to ensure ample vitamin D intake. Just don’t
forget your sunscreen!
6. Salt Water Healing
Salt water can contribute to our bodies’ health
through its healing attributes. Whether it is cuts, sores, or immune
deficiencies, simply breathing in, or immersing oneself in the salt water can
assist in helpful restoration.
7. Grounding
The peaceful, easy-going aura that sweeps over you as you
feel the sand between your toes ties into the scientifically backed practice of
“grounding.” Grounding works through electrical conductivity through the body’s
cells when in contact with the earth. Studies for
grounding have shown that the practice has provided improvements in the
reduction of pain, mood improvement and fatigue reduction.
8. Unwind
Let’s face it, life can get pretty hectic. Taking time to
relax and embrace being in the beach environment is a great way to separate
oneself from the routine stressors of life. Allowing oneself to immerse in the
sounds of the rhythmic crash of the waves or embracing the clean, salty air are
just two of the many ways that you can take a step back and unwind in the
pleasing ambiance of the ocean.
9. Skin Rejuvenation
If the mood-boosting benefits of the beach were not enough, the
beach also assists with improving skin health. The sand works as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and providing you with a smooth,
glowing look. In addition to the sand’s usefulness, salt water also plays a
role in improving skin health. Soaking up the salt water supplies the body with
helpful nutrients such as magnesium and zinc, which have antibacterial
applications that help alleviate certain skin conditions.
10. Sleep
Nothing beats a post-beach day sleep. The lingering feeling
of the sun on your skin and the drowsy feeling from a day full of fun culminates
into a perfect night’s sleep. Being on the beach aids in relaxation and mood
improvement, thus resulting in an improved night of sleep. For example, one study
found that participants who engaged in a stroll along the beach slept an
average of 47 minutes longer than those who did not walk by the beach. Embracing
a refreshing, post-beach sleep can boost your immune system, reduce stress
and simply improve overall well-being.
