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!