Summer is almost here and that means taking a trip to the beach. It won’t be long until you can feel the warm sun on your skin, hear the sound of waves crashing, and dig your toes in the sand. There is something about these elements that help you to relax, and visiting the beach is also helpful for promoting your overall well-being. Aside from having an enjoyable time, you can also look forward to getting these health benefits when you go to the beach.
Reduce Stress
If you feel more relaxed just by looking at the amazing view of the sea and sky, it’s because the color blue is associated with the feeling of calm and peace. Also, the serene environment can help reduce anxiety and lessen stress. Staring at the ocean can put your mind in a mildly meditative state while listening to the soothing sound of the water can de-stimulate your brain.
Improve Sleep
Going to the beach helps relieve the main factors inhibiting you from getting a restful sleep such as high stress, hormonal imbalance, and lack of physical tiredness. While at the beach, you’ll often experience a calming feeling that lowers stress levels, while sun exposure helps regulate your hormones. Swimming and walking along the shore also provide ample physical activity to tire you out during the day and help you sleep better at night.
Boost Mood
Basking in the sun can help increase the release of serotonin, the hormone that improves your mood. Smelling the scent of the ocean can also help you feel relaxed and happy. Each time you breathe in the ocean air, you are also absorbing the negative ions. This can speed up your body’s ability to absorb oxygen, which also plays a role in balancing your serotonin levels. In a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information[1], exposure to negative ions—like the ones found in ocean breezes—can help treat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and alleviate depression.
Receive Ample Vitamin D
A healthy dose of vitamin D is vital to healthy body function and the natural way to get it is from sunlight. By spending just 10 minutes under the sun, you get a day’s worth of the nutrient. Meanwhile, the extra doses you get will be stored in your body and used later on. Vitamin D aids in the growth and development of bones and teeth. To ensure you have an enjoyable time at the beach without suffering from painful sunburns after, apply sunblock with at least SPF 30.
Better Immunity
Going to the beach doesn’t just increase your vitamin D absorption; it can also strengthen your immune system. Sun exposure may fight off certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease while a dip in the ocean may reduce inflammation because of the water’s rich mineral content. Aside from being an antiseptic, the iodine in the ocean water can boost your thyroid gland functions, which also enhances your immune system.
Breathe Better
As soon as you step onto the beach and get a whiff of the fresh ocean breeze, you can’t help but breathe deeply. This is a natural response to better air quality. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other breathing-related difficulties will find it easier to breathe the beach air because their chest muscles relax. Also, the negative ions in the air contribute to better oxygen absorption.
Increase Chances to Exercise
When you are at the beach, you get the opportunity to engage in various physical activities. Just walking along the shore is enough to give you energy. You can also jog or go out to the water and swim or surf. There are plenty of ways you can stay active at the beach, which is good for your fitness and can increase the release of endorphins. This health benefit is one of the reasons why many people want to live in coastal cities like Miami. In some cases, easy access to the sea is what influences people to choose a drug rehab Miami residents go to rather than other facilities.
Healthier Skin
A trip to the beach can also be a time to get some natural beauty treatments. The sand acts as an exfoliant for your skin, removing dead skin cells that make your skin look dull and feel rough. Getting vitamin D is good for skin health as it enables your body to repair cells faster. You can also get a healthy-looking flush from being out in the sun but do make sure to reapply your sunscreen so you can block harmful UV rays.
Spending time at the beach is a fun way to enjoy yourself, but it can also improve your physical and mental health. While some people are fortunate to live near the coast, you may want to consider visiting the beach even during the off-season. This way, you may be able to enjoy the health benefits of going to the beach throughout the year.