There is something especially calming and pleasurable about simply soaking your feet in the rippled sea water and feeling the soft breeze gently touch your face. However, apart from providing us with that undeniable feeling of relaxation and fun that’s entirely unique and reserved for the beach, the sea can also have an incredibly positive impact on our overall health and well-being that we often tend to overlook. So, here are some surprising health benefits of spending time near the sea that will motivate you to take a plunge in warm ocean waters this summer:
Increased physical activity
When we spend time by the ocean, we tend to have more motivation to head outside and engage in physical activity. Whether you simply go swimming, play a game of volleyball on the beach, or even enjoy more adventurous water sports, such as surfing and waterskiing, you will find that working out on the beach is much more enjoyable than your usual exercise routine. Even a simple walk around the shore, which most of us think of as a romantic activity, can be an excellent form of exercise that provides a much more beautiful and more enjoyable backdrop than your neighborhood gym. What’s more, spending time outdoors will allow your body to soak up more vitamin D, thus keeping your skin, muscles and bones healthy and strong.
Clear and glowing skin
It’s a well-known fact that salty sea water has certain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be of great help when it comes to sterilizing and soothing the skin, while calming down irritation, dermatitis and eczema. The microscopic salt grains found in sea water can also act as an incredibly efficient exfoliant, helping to heal dry and flaky skin, while also reducing the appearance of blackheads, acne and breakouts. Even if you are a person with normal skin who doesn’t suffer from any skin conditions, saltwater can still provide you with wonderful benefits, allowing you to clear out and tone your complexion, and providing you with that desirable seaside glow that will last long after your beach holiday has ended.
Fresh air, better sleep
The fresh, salt-laden air we breathe when we spend our days near the sea has been known to clear out our lungs and improve our overall lung functions, allowing us to increase our lung capacity and lead to stronger, healthier lungs. What’s more, the hydrogen ion found in sea air can also help to increase our energy levels and promote relaxation, resulting in better, longer and higher quality sleep. If you want to reap these incredible benefits, it might be a great idea to book a holiday to a clean, calm and peaceful coastal country, such as Croatia. There, you can book a reputable Mediterranean yacht charter who can create a personalized itinerary to suit all your needs, allowing you to spend time at sea and breathe in the healthy, beneficial ocean air.
Improved mental well-being
Considering the fact that we often associate the beach with feelings of calmness and peacefulness, it’s no wonder spending time at sea has a way of reducing our levels of stress and anxiety, ultimately leading to better mental health. Providing us with a sense of relaxation and peace that’s often lacking from our lives, being surrounded by ocean water can also soothe our mind, allowing us to battle certain mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, much more easily, while helping to inspire creativity and promote compassion. Even the mere scent of ocean water and the feeling of clean sand beneath our feet can help us relax and unwind, thus improving our mood and leading to a healthier and happier life.
A healthier social life
Most coastal towns around the world are known for having quite friendly and close-knit communities that are especially warm and welcoming to tourists. That means that if you decide to spend a holiday at the beach, you have the chance of meeting plenty of new, inspiring people, and enjoy a vibrant and exciting social life. Apart from being necessary for your emotional well-being, socializing can also have numerous benefits for your overall health, from increasing your self-esteem and boosting your confidence levels to improving your memory and overall brain performance. So, whether you plan a vacation with your friends or decide to meet new people at the beach, don’t be afraid to socialize and improve your health and well-being.
Not only being a great way to relax, unwind and get away from everyday stresses, but also having a number of incredible benefits for our overall health and well-being, spending time at the beach is an especially positive, healthy and pleasurable activity we should all practice much more often.
