5 Reasons to Live at the Beach
Another meeting and another deadline, you wonder if the stress will ever stop. You need to focus, so you pop in your earbuds. Then you tune into a selection of nature melodies. And you find the perfect choice – sounds of the ocean. Calmness ensues; you know the deadlines are no problem.
There are five amazing reasons to live at the beach. The sun, surf, sand, sea air, and its energy combine to create an environment that brings out the best in all of us. It is not just folklore that the beach cures all; scientific research supports the benefits of living at the beach.
True beach lovers can create an endless list of benefits of beach life. The beach is the only place where doing nothing is accomplishing something. Continue reading for the whys behind the advantages of beach life. Grab your flip-flops, sunscreen, and let’s go to the beach.
The Sun
What better way to start and end your days than with sunrises and sunsets. Spectacular hues of oranges, reds, and yellows are an awe-inspiring light show provided by the sun. Most beach communities have less air pollution, so there is a richer depth of color in the sunrises and sunsets. With the vastness of the ocean, buildings do not inhibit your view.
Once the sun has risen, another benefit of beach living is the vitamin D from the sun. Few foods have sufficient vitamin D to keep us healthy, so most of us require some vitamin D from sunlight. Vitamin D is activated when the rays of the sun interact with proteins in your skin. Research shows that vitamin D is still produced when you apply sunscreen for skin protection.
Vitamin D is essential to your physical and mental health. For your body, vitamin D assists in the absorption of calcium and phosphate. Healthy bones, teeth, and muscles are a result of the assimilation these minerals into your body. Conversely, low levels of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis, cancer, and weak muscles.
Serotonin and melatonin are both hormones in our bodies. Their production is related to exposure to sunlight. Serotonin helps keep us calm and focused. It assists with maintaining upbeat moods. Not enough serotonin can cause depression. A good night’s sleep is more apt to occur if you have sufficient melatonin in your body.
Getting out in the natural light of the sun at the beach improves your overall health and sense of well-being.
The Surf
Hypnotic, rhythmic sounds of the waves transport us to a contemplative state of mind. In this zone, we relax and release our minds from daily stresses. Once we are able to let go, our happiness levels increase, which boosts our creativity. Our brain patterns have been altered allowing us to glide methodically and peacefully with the waves.
While you continue to immerse your mind in the surf, gaze out on the waters. Watch the coming and going of the waves. Look deeper into the colors of the waters. The blues and greens of the ocean will add to your feelings of peace and calmness.
Now that you have transported your body and mind to the beach, join in the incredible water activities the surf provides. In addition to being fun, you will get a great workout swimming, surfing, or paddle boarding. These workouts, which will not feel like trudging on an indoor treadmill, will improve your body’s circulation and enhance its immune system.
The Sand
A natural exfoliant, the sand at the beach is one of the best pedicures for you. Walking in the sand will smooth the calluses on your feet. Engaging your tactile senses will increase your connections to your surroundings. All the nerve endings on the soles of your feet will become rejuvenated and feel free as they are released from the confines of your shoes and socks.
Living at the beach provides a natural encouragement to exercise. After your sand pedicure, lace up your sneakers and walk along the beach. Walking is a great exercise for everyone regardless of your current fitness level. You can adjust the speed and length of your walk as you build strength and stamina.
Walking at the beach with the ocean air and sounds of the surf adds to walking’s inherent benefits. You will work additional muscles since the beach is not level. Be sure to balance your walks, so all your muscles have an equal workout. Cardiovascular fitness, toning of your muscles, and reducing your stress levels will all result from fitness walks on the beach.
Planning a beach BBQ? Here are some tips and ideas for a successful BBQ.
The Sea Air
Take a deep breath. Inhale the scent of the ocean air. Intuitively, we know that those cleansing breaths make us feel better. Air near moving water contains negative ions that are produced naturally. Negative ions have an extra electron. You cannot see, feel, smell, or taste these ions, but they have a positive effect on us when we breathe them in.
After the negative ions are absorbed into your bloodstream, they boost your serotonin levels. Steady levels of serotonin in your body will regulate your mood and help control stress. Increased levels of energy result. Additionally, more oxygen streams to your brain with the infusion of negative ions in your blood. The surge of oxygen brings you more energy and creativity.
Many of our daily lives include the use of technology. When not living at the beach, our cities and towns tend to be congested and polluted. All of this creates positive ions, which have a negative impact on your health. So, beach air with its negative ions will counteract the positive ions from your non-beach life.
Energy
Picture a day on the beach. Family and friends building sandcastles, digging holes in the sand, laughing, and talking. Memories of vacations at the beach percolate through most of our lives. These precious times with family and friends are uniquely created by the bounties of the ocean. When you live at the beach, you will provide an outlet from daily non-beach life for your family and friends.
Life at the beach provides a connection to people, the universe, and each of us in it. During our respite at the beach, we can take the time to appreciate the vastness and beauty of nature. Our respect for the ocean and its gifts grows with the time we immerse ourselves in its world. We derive the energy of the universe when we reconnect ourselves to it.
Our role in the world becomes clearer and the energy to be the best person we can be is obtained from beach life.
Related Questions
If I cannot get to the beach, can I create this atmosphere elsewhere?
Yes, you can replicate some of the beach’s benefits anywhere. One of the keys is immersing yourself in more nature. A great place to start is adding houseplants to your indoor environment. These will provide greenery for you and help filter the air in your home or apartment.
Can’t the sun cause you problems?
Yes, being in the sun unprotected can cause problems. The good news is that very effective sunscreen is available, which should be worn anytime in the sun. Also, clothing, beach umbrellas, and accessories are made with sun protective materials.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.