Why You Need to Go to The Beach

Hey! Did you know that going to the beach is actually healthy for you?

It’s not like you need any extra convincing to enjoy a day of lounging on the beach, but the term “Beach Day” just took on a whole new meaning. I discovered exactly how the beach can help to improve your physical and mental health in more ways than just a great tan and giving you a relaxing feeling.

First off, let’s talk about the most important factor in a good beach day; the sun.

There is a reason why you feel so happy while you are basking in the sunshine. Sunshine naturally boosts your serotonin (your body’s mood stabilizer) levels; making your mind feel happier and therefore wanting to be more active.  In addition to feeling happier, you’ll get your daily dose of vitamin D just by your skin absorbing that glorious sunshine. Not to mention your stress/anxiety levels will drop after spending some time in the sun, making it easier for you to get a good night of beauty sleep!  It has been said that the sun is a natural cure for insomnia.

Bring on the sunshine!

Spending a day at the beach also provides many benefits to the body’s physical appearance.

Benefits for Your Hair

Before starting this post, I had no clue there were so many benefits in salt water for your hair. I am so that girl at the beach who doesn’t want to get her hair wet. I have obviously been missing out on some serious natural, time-tested and free hair rehab bonuses.

For example:

• ocean water is a natural shampoo, as the salt helps to dry your hair
• the salt and iodine in salt water helps to tame and absorb the natural, heavy oils on your scalp, which is particularly beneficial for you ladies with naturally greasy hair (ever wonder why everyone is constantly telling you to use a salt water spray to help fight the grease?)
• the minerals and vitamins have an antibiotic effect on skin and hair, and just being in sea water can also help soothe an itchy and dry scalp (ahem, the salt also helps to activate circulation which will help in dandruff defense too!!).
• cleanse and rid your hair of product build-up from the chemicals resulting from use in your everyday hair care routine (which will also give your hair a natural boost of body and volume because your hair isn’t being weighed down anymore)

But make sure to take note: to seriously get your hair looking its best with the help of the ocean it’s important to do so in moderation. The salt in the ocean water can be damaging, especially if you have extensions and or colored hair.

Skincare Benefits

Did you know sea water is literally made up of minerals that help prevent aging? Just swimming in the ocean can help improve your skin’s elasticity, heal and soothe scars or cuts, help to clear up acne, and help to retain moisture which helps improve the overall appearance and youthful appearance of your skin.

The sand works as a natural exfoliator–removing all of the dead skin cells and dry patches; leaving you with beautiful, fresh, healthy and soft skin without using chemicals or products.

Don’t have 24/7 access to the beach? Some women I know who don’t have unlimited beach access swear by taking some sand home with them, so they can exfoliate anytime!

It’s Better by the Beach

Simply being at the beach lowers your stress levels, which positively affects every part of your overall health and well-being.  When you are stressed, you can and will feel the effects in every part of your overall health. From your body to the way you interact with people on a daily basis, the effects of long-term stress can have many serious health consequences. Since the 1800’s doctors have been prescribing beach visits and vacations as a natural way to help battle the symptoms caused by stress, depression, anxiety and much more. 

Guess we had better follow the doctor’s orders and hit the beach ASAP!

 

PHOTO BY : Alex de Carvalho  @alex_dc