Why Going to the Beach Is Good for You?

Just the sight of the of the blue waters, the feel of the sea breeze and the warmth of the sand under your feet are enough to let all of your everyday cares fly out. Here are some of the reasons why hitting the beach is not only fun but is also beneficial to your health and well-being:

1. Going to the beach helps you to relax and beat stress

Many people go to the beach not just to have fun but to relieve themselves of everyday stress. Hitting the beach helps you unplug, and that’s good not just for your body but also for your mind and soul. Even if you don’t actually swim in the salty waters, a simple short walk is already helpful in relaxing yourself as well as reducing your stress. The gentle sea breeze and the calming effects of the crashing waves are enough to soothe your frayed nerves and wipe out those negative vibes that have haunted you from your daily routine.

2. Going to the beach is good for your skin

The beach can be your natural spa! The feel of the warm sand on your skin doesn’t only make you feel good, but it also does actual good to you. The sand acts as a natural skin exfoliator and allows your skin pores to breathe, so goodbye acne and blackheads! While the sun’s UV rays are often thought to be dangerous for the skin, they are considered dangerous when the skin’s exposed too much to it. Otherwise, the sun’s UV rays also help in drying out the skin, and this is great for psoriasis sufferers. The seawater’s salt and potassium content are also good in healing certain skin diseases such as rashes or dermatitis. The seawater also helps in retaining your skin’s elasticity and moisture due to its magnesium content.

3. The beach helps in boosting the immune system

We’ve all heard of the phrase “I need #VitaminSea” in many posts on social media. But there are valid reasons why a lot of us need a dose of “vitamin sea,” and it’s not just for the sake of a hashtag. You might have even probably heard of doctors prescribing you with a trip to the beach. Number one, there’s the sun — sunlight is a good source of vitamin D to keep your bones healthy and improve your body’s ability to resist infection and reduce inflammations. Even spending just 10 minutes under the sun is enough to get a lot of vitamin D — in fact, there’s more vitamin D that we get from soaking up under the sol than from consuming milk and other certain foods.

Seawater is rich in minerals and other compounds that are also great in detoxifying our body and preventing autoimmune diseases. Have a runny nose? Being in the ocean helps in decongesting your stuffy nose and clearing your respiratory tract.  Seawater is also a natural source of iodine and other antibacterial properties which help in preventing open cuts (although it can certainly sting!) as well as diseases in the thyroid glands.

4. The beach is good for doing lots of exercises

While the beach is good for rest and relaxation, it is also a good place to burn your fats and get your muscles toned. You may want to do some running, swimming or other beach sports like surfing, volleyball or a Frisbee. The beach is so vast that it’ll get you moving even if you don’t try to — even walking on the sandy shores benefits you in a lot of ways! Swimming is excellent to spend a day in the beach as it is a low-impact exercise that’s not too severe on the muscles and joints and still burns a lot of calories.

5. Going to the beach combats depression

Spending your time at the beach is a boon not just for your physical health, but also for your mental health as well. Basking in the sun can make us more cheerful — and there’s a valid reason behind that. A recent study reveals that exposure to sunshine helps in increasing levels of serotonin, which can trigger feelings of happiness.

Apart from the sunshine, the salty air can also contribute in fighting off depression. The sea breeze’s negative ions help in lifting the emotional state of people suffering from depression or any other mood disorders. That’s why a lot of doctors are prescribing a trip to the beach for those who are suffering depression or other related mental problems.