8 Benefits of a beach holiday

In just two sleeps we are leaving for a holiday at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, just an hour or so north of Brisbane.  I have been craving some time at the beach for ages.  It’s really the only kind of holiday where you truly get to relax, or at least I find it is the only kind of holiday where I give myself ‘permission’ to relax!

Recent getaways have included trips to Canberra and Perth which have been fabulous but fast paced as I was playing ‘tourist’ wanting to see and do as much as possible while there. 

There will be some day trips during the stay at Mooloolaba – to Coolum to visit some relatives, to the Eumundi Markets, up to the Montville, Mapleton and Maleny hinterland areas that I love so much, and it has also been recommended to me to visit Cooroy where I don’t think I have ever been before and I’d like to pop in for a visit to Woombye too, maybe for breakfast as inspired by this post by Jo Tracey.  Mostly though, the holiday will be all about relaxing: reading, resting, walking along the beach, swimming, eating out, checking out the shops, etc.  Speaking of Jo Tracey – she and her husband made the move from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast to live not that long ago (the lucky things), so I’m very much looking forward to meeting up with Jo while I’m up the coast!  She’s a fellow Lovin’ Life team member who I’ve only ever known online so it will be fun to meet up with her in person.

Beach holidays just feel so relaxing and reviving don’t you think?  The reasons I think this might be the case are outlined below.

8 Benefits of a beach holiday

1. Breathing in healthy sea air – Ahhh the bracing fresh coastal breeze helps to blow away the cobwebs and revive the soul!  Interestingly, I discovered that the reason sea air is so healthy and makes us feel great, is that it contains tiny droplets of sea water enriched with salt, iodine, magnesium and trace elements, which are scattered into the air by wind and waves.  Known as surf-generated aerosols they accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen. Negative ions also balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical linked with mood and stress, which is why after a holiday you feel more alert, relaxed and energised!
2. Being active – We want to enjoy the beach and all it has to offer when we are holidaying there, so that generally includes beach walks!  Don’t know about you but I adore early morning and late afternoon walks along the beach.  I enjoy walking right on the water’s edge and splashing my feet in the water.  Beach walks also inevitably include walking in the soft white sand which is quite a good workout for the legs!  Swimming and other water and beach activities often hardly even register as ‘exercise’ because they’re so enjoyable and fun!  The bonus is that they’re all a great source of cardio and fantastic for heart health.
3. Stress reduction – The beach is the perfect place to de-stress:  lying about reading books, wriggling your toes in the sand, dipping your toes in the surf, walking along the beach with the sea breeze blowing in your face, sleeping in, having nowhere to rush off to, eating out, no household chores, the list goes on!
4. Natural injection of Vitamin D – Busy lives and lots of time indoors working can have detrimental effects on our health.  Provided you wear a high-protection factor sunscreen and avoid the lunchtime heat, a little exposure to the sun can improve your sense of physical and emotional wellbeing. The ultraviolet rays stimulate the production of vitamin D, which enables our bodies to make good use of phosphorus and calcium, promoting strong bones and cell division.
5. Healing powers of the sea’s salt water – Did you know that seawater contains vital elements, vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements, amino acids and living microorganisms that can produce antibiotic and antibacterial effects to help promote a healthy immune system? It improves circulation by restoring essential minerals depleted by stress, a poor diet and environmental poisons. Magnesium-rich seawater can also relax your muscles, reduce stress and help induce sleep. Magnesium depresses nerves to relieve nervous irritability for an increased sense of calmness.  Last but not least, the magnesium in seawater can also help hydrate and improve the appearance of your skin!
6. Better sleep – The flow on beneficial effect from reduced stress and improved relaxation, being active, daily sunshine and sea water is a relaxed mind and improved sleep!
7. Childhood memories – Spending time at the beach generally brings back childhood memories of digging in the sand, building sandcastles, playing in the ocean, jumping the waves, spending quality time with your parents and siblings.  Happy memories increase feelings of happiness, self-esteem and most importantly, serotonin (commonly known as the chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance)!
8. Unplug / Digital Detox – Having some Digital Detox time is good for the mind, body and soul. Studies have shown that being constantly ‘plugged in’ leads to stress, loss of sleep and depression. Anxiety statistics in Australia are rising and in actual fact have become the most common mental heath disorder in this country.  It’s largely because we are constantly switched on, connected, and stimulated by social media, the internet, and mainstream media.  Being on a beach holiday is the easiest time to unplug. There are just far too many other things one would rather be doing when at the beach, including relaxing and enjoying the wonders of nature that the beach provides us! 

Have you been on a beach holiday lately?  When do you give yourself permission to truly relax? 

Ciao for now,

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