Health Benefits of the Beach

Did you ever notice how good you feel physically and mentally after a long day on the beach? This is because there are many health benefits gained by spending time on the beach and utilizing all it has to offer. With the sand, the ocean and the full-on sunshine, there is not much more one could possibly need to feel great inside and out.

Here are a few aspects of the beach that contribute to living a healthy summer lifestyle and some tips to go along with them.

The Sun

It’s definitely true that sunburn and skin cancer are real threats to our health. It’s unfortunate that people are unaware of how serious this actually is. All it takes is a day of not wearing sunblock and someone with sensitive skin could be in danger. However, with the proper sunblock (SPF of no less than 30, please) and by avoiding overexposure to the sun's UV rays, there are many health benefits of soaking in some sun.

Sunshine is the main source of vitamin D, which plays a major role in strengthening the bones and boosting the immune system. Most doctors agree that the sun is a better source of vitamin D than supplements.

Ever realize how much happier you feel after being in the sun? That’s because sunshine has been shown to boost your mood by increasing the natural antidepressant serotonin in the brain. Lack of sunlight reduces levels of serotonin causing various symptoms of depression.

Additionally, our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our internal organs from outside materials. It absorbs chemicals and substances (both the good and the bad) and tries to rid itself of these substances through sweat. In small doses, the sun has been shown to be good for certain skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and dermatitis.

It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella to the beach if you plan on staying for an extended amount of time. Take breaks between sitting in the sun and sitting under the umbrella. Reapply your sunscreen. Trust me, you’d be silly and sorry not to wear sunscreen properly!

Swimming in the Ocean

We’ve all heard before that the ocean water is good for our skin, but not many people actually know why. The beneficial qualities of seawater have been known to man for centuries and have been noted as having great healing effect on the fishermen’s hurt hands. Saltwater helps heal wounds, reduce infection and promote pain relief.

Seawater contains high levels of various minerals that have therapeutic effects on our bodies. It has a high enough magnesium content to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves, which could explain why swimming in the ocean is so relaxing. Potassium in seawater enters the skin and encourages urinary flow. Swimming in seawater opens the pores and helps to remove toxins from the body via the lymph system. It also has been shown to increase elasticity of the skin and improves its outer appearance.

I recently read in a surfing magazine that seawater contains all the 89 known elements present in our bodies, including gold, vanadium, zinc and iodine. This is amazing information and there is no other place where this holds true.

Aside from the therapeutics of the actual saltwater, swimming is wonderful exercise. Swimming involves proper breathing and uses most major muscle groups. The water provides gentle movement for proper resistance. Swimming is a non-impact sport, which is great for people with injuries. It’s an unreal cardio workout and distance swimming helps to build endurance, too, like running. It’s completely different than running or biking, but it’s just as good of a workout. Most of all, swimming is fun! Once you get into it and feel comfortable out in the water, it becomes one of the most relaxing exercises one could do. In fact, it starts to not even feel like exercise anymore. It alleviates boredom and helps you stick with it.

Walking or Running in the Sand

Walking and running are two of the best cardio exercises a person could do. Even better though, is performing them on the beach in the sand. It is absolutely a superior work out than on the road or a trail as the shifting sand makes traction a challenge. This causes muscle groups to work harder as you jog. Just walking on the beach in the sand benefits health. Barefoot is the best way to go for optimum results.

Relaxation

Where better to relax and let your mind go than at the beach. The mind and body both need (and deserve) at little rest from time to time. In this current fast pace society, we are burdened by so much stress. Most people don’t realize that stress can actually cause chemical imbalances in the brain, and these changes can influence the state of your health. That said, we must take some time to rest and allow our minds and bodies to recharge.

To sit and look out at the vast ocean and listen to the crashing waves is extremely therapeutic. It is a way to allow the mind to wander and is a great starting place for meditation. I recommend to anyone striving to reach a meditative state, to try it on the beach first. It tends to really help to have such a calm and peaceful environment without any of the distractions in the home.

To me the summer is a time for us to feel great about ourselves, inside and out.  Through exercise, relaxing and spending time with friends and family, the warm summer beach air truly has a way of helping people live their lives to the fullest. It motivates people to stay busy, not only with their jobs, but with their personal time as well.

Where in one place can you feel this good and do all these things? Nowhere other than the beach. Get out there, people, and enjoy what Mother Nature made for us.