3 Little-Known Reasons to Go to the Beach as Often as We Can
Is there anything better than the beach? No place can compare to this pleasant, beautiful, and relaxing piece of earth which helps us recharge our batteries. But, what makes it so special that we want to get back to it over and over again?
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests that going to the beach can improve our physical and mental health.
The researchers, Hipp and Ogunseitan, discovered the ideal conditions that will provide you with the most powerful restorative benefits. They include mild temperatures and low tides.
For example, if you go to the beach when the temperature is 3°F warmer than the average, your chances of getting the restorative benefits of the beach decrease by 30%. Ideally, you should hit the beach when the temperature is average, or cooler than the average.
Reasons to Visit the Beach Regularly
Water
Seawater is rich in magnesium, iodine, potassium, and other minerals which help the body heal and detoxify, as well as fight infection. What’s more, you can do a lot of fun water activities which can help you relax and reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Also, swimming is one of the best physical activities which activates most of the body’s major group muscles. Since swimming is a non-impact sport, it can be good for those with arthritis, joint pain, and injuries.
Furthermore, it’s an excellent way to work your cardiovascular system and burn calories. According to Healthline, swimming is a good option for those with asthma, multiple sclerosis, sleep problems, excess stress, and mood disorders.
Sand
Another reason to hit the beach today is the benefits of walking barefoot on the sand. There are more nerve endings and sweat glands per cm² in your soles than on any other part of your body.
Besides stimulating those nerve endings, walking barefoot on sand helps strengthen the foot muscles. There’s another benefit from walking barefoot on the earth, called earthing or grounding. It helps boost your mood.
Sun
Last but not least, sunlight! Even though excess exposure to sun rays can damage your skin, getting the right balance can give you many benefits. Healthline explains that sunlight helps your brain release the happy hormone serotonin.
What’s more, it helps your skin to produce vitamin D necessary for strong bones. Sunlight is also used as an additional treatment for thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The World Health Organization recommends getting 5-15 minutes of sunlight, two to three times a week to get the necessary vitamin D. The body parts you should expose to sunlight for this purpose should be your face, arms, and hands.
However, you might want to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 if you plan to stay outside in the sun for longer than 15 minutes. Also, don’t forget to wear a hat and other protective clothing.
We don’t think you need another reason to pack your beach bag and go to the beach as soon as you can, do you?
