Beach Health Benefits
The beach provides an ideal environment for relaxation, exercise and fun. At the same time, it also offers a number of other perks that might surprise you. If you’re looking for a weekend activity that provides more than just a day of recreation, consider the following beach health benefits.
Depression Remedy
A day at the beach can lift your mood in a number of ways, whether you’re enjoying a swim, a game of volleyball or relaxing under the sun. At the same time, it can also have a very real biological impact on your well-being. In fact, numerous studies have shown that regular doses of sunlight have the ability to ward off depression and low mood.
Vitamin D Source
These days, more and more people are shunning sunlight, due to concerns about skin cancer. While this threat is very real, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a day at the beach. Most healthy people only need about five to ten minutes of sun exposure to create enough vitamin D to meet their daily needs. With this in mind, consider waiting a few minutes before applying your protective sunscreen at the beach.
Sleep Enhancer
Inadequate sleep has become a major problem in the United States. So much so, in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have named it a public health epidemic. Numerous studies have linked poor sleep to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and more. An overwhelming body of research has also linked both exercise and sunlight exposure to improved sleep duration and quality. Beach activities provide a fun way to get much-needed exercise, while sunlight helps regulate our melatonin production for better and longer periods of sleep
Stress Reducer
By increasing our levels of cortisol, stress and anxiety can have a serious impact on our long-term health. Countless studies have shown that people who manage stress well outlive those who do not. By allowing you to unplug from your daily worries, a trip the beach can do wonders for your psyche. For best results, however, try to leave your smartphone or tablet alone and enjoy some exercise or the soothing sound of the rolling waves.
