The beach is one of the places people flock to when the weather gets nice, to bask in the sunshine and splash in the ocean. But what most people don’t realize is that sun and sand can also be harmful for our health, so it’s important to take steps to stay safe while enjoying the beach. Here are some tips for healthy beach living.

Protect Your Skin
Being out in the sun without protection can damage your skin and eventually lead to wrinkles and other health issues. To avoid sunburn, always wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for all exposed skin. Additionally, you should try to stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day and wear protective clothing and accessories, like a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved shirt, to further shield your skin from the sun’s rays.

Guard Against Insects
No one likes being pestered by pesky bugs while out enjoying the beach. To keep them away, it’s important to use bug repellent. You should also wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to reduce the likelihood of being bit by a variety of flying and crawling critters. You should also make sure to take breaks from the beach for a few hours at a time to give the insects a break too!

Stay Hydrated
It is easy to get dehydrated at the beach due to the combination of heat, humidity, and physical activity. Staying hydrated is even more important if you’re drinking alcoholic beverages, as alcohol is a diuretic and will increase the rate at which your body loses fluid. Make sure to drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich beverages like sports drinks to prevent dehydration.

Beach Safety
The ocean can be dangerous, so it’s important to know your limits when you’re swimming. Even if you’re an experienced swimmer, be sure to avoid venturing out too far from shore and never swim alone. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings and be aware of the potential for dangerous rip currents. Make sure to only swim in areas designated as safe for swimming and if you ever feel like your strength is waning, just get back to shore as quickly as possible.

Practice Cleanliness
Beaches are public areas and they should be respected as such. As visitors to the beach, it’s important to take part in clean-up efforts and refrain from damaging the wonderful natural resources that surround us. This means picking up after yourself, disposing of your trash correctly, and avoiding activities like camping or building huts on the beach which can wreak havoc on the environment.

Conclusion
Beaches are a great place to relax and hang out with family and friends, but it’s important to take steps to stay safe and protect the environment while we are there. Use these tips for healthy beach living to make the most out of your beach days!

It is no surprise that visiting the beach boasts a plethora of soothing and calming attributes for the mind, body, and soul of an individual. For centuries, the act of setting foot on the sands of the beach has been a serene connection to nature that allows individuals to escape from the hustle and bustle to realign, rejuvenate, and reset. While some relish in the opportunity to swim in the ocean, build sandcastles, or just collect shells and sea glass, each of these activities serves a crucial role in bettering emotional, mental, and physical health and is effective when practiced consistently.

The therapeutic qualities of the beach offer physical benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, increased endorphins, and improved balance and coordination. This can help protect against various diseases such as hypertension, even after the individual has left the shore. Increasing play time in the sand and water has also been linked to greater upper and lower body strength.

Stress reduction is another major benefit in which many individuals can benefit from visiting the beach. The sound of the waves crashing, the sensation of sand beneath your feet, or the feel of the sun on your skin resets our systems, allowing us to experience a sense of satisfaction and alleviate stress from everyday life. According to the American Institute of Stress, stress is a major contributor to a wide array of health problems, ranging from mental to physical. Furthermore, studies show that immersing oneself in the beach lifestyle has a lasting, calming effect, reducing the effects of stress-related illnesses.

Oftentimes, we are so overwhelmed with our day to day tasks that we forget to take time for ourselves. Visiting the beach is an opportunity to be present in the moment. Away from the exhausting cycle of work and home life, it serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty that exists around us. Practicing mindfulness is an effective tool for creating a connection between the body and the mind. Doing so helps us to dedicate time to notice our thoughts and emotions, encourage positive change, reduce stress, and improve physical health.

The beach is also a perfect destination to practice essentialism. Overdoing it or leading an overly complicated life can lead to high anxiety, fatigue, and guilt. Therefore, it is important to separate what is essential in order to achieve our goals from the distractions that often accompany us in life. Along the shore, you can forget about the noises, worries, and stresses and focus on the simple things that make you happy, such as a calming stroll or enjoying a delicious meal.

In conclusion, visiting the beach is not only enjoyable but also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. The necessary physical and mental benefits allow individuals to boost their overall wellbeing along with their sense of purpose. Constant exposure to the therapeutic qualities of the beach can lead to improved emotional, mental, and physical health.