Going to the beach isn’t just something you should do for fun. It’s also a way for you to improve your health. Getting out into nature offers all sorts of benefits, both physical and mental.
Here’s how it could help you.
Boosts Mental Health
Top of the list is the fact that going to the beach can improve your mental health. Being by the coast and listening to the soft sounds of the waves lapping up against the beach is a great way to feel better in almost every way.
Researchers believe that going to the beach can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. For many people, the coast has positive connotations from their childhoods. Furthermore, beaches encourage activities, like walking, that improve mood.
Increases Vitamin D Levels
Going to the beach may also have the added benefit of increasing your vitamin D levels. Exposure to sunshine allows tiny receptors in your skin to make the hormone for your body, changing how you feel from the bottom up.
High levels of vitamin D are critical for all sorts of reasons, but especially bone and immune health. Lacking this vital nutrient can leave you feeling tired and susceptible to infections.
Supports Respiratory Health
All the physical activity and rich sea air may improve respiratory health. The lungs not only get a workout, but being by the coast may also nourish them, thanks to negative ions.
Of course, if you are going to be active, you need to be careful. Getting stuck in the ocean is not conducive to well-being. Furthermore, you can damage your devices. You might have an armband for your phone, but it is always worth following beach safety tips for hearing aids. Going in the water and getting wet can damage them, as can impacts with sand or sand infiltration.
Promotes Mindfulness
Taking a trip to the beach can also promote mindfulness and help to reconnect you to the world around you (instead of feeling like you’re always inside your head). Again, it comes down to the environment, like the rhythmic waves or the gentle sea breeze wafting through your toes.
If you can find a lonely beach without anyone on it, that could help you even more. These are ideal for just unwinding and letting go of the world.
Strengthens Social Connections
Going to the beach also allows you to strengthen social connections, something that can fall by the wayside if you have hearing health issues or other mental health problems that cause you to isolate.
When you strengthen social connections, you often improve your health and emotional well-being. You have people around you who can work with you to reduce feelings of loneliness and bring you out of your shell.
Beaches are the perfect place for this because there’s a lot of space and plenty of things to do. You could grab a bite to eat, swim in the sea, play in the sand, or enjoy local sports, like windsurfing, which can be a lot of fun and build bonds.
