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
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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)!
- 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,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
44 Comments
awww thanks for the shout-out. I’m looking forward to meeting you in real life. There’s nothing like a good dose of Vitamin Sea.
Yes it will be fun. I’ll be the short woman looking for you! Love me some Vitamin Sea!! 🙂
We are normally beach holiday peeps – and I agree, there’s something restorative in the air. Just wonderful! Enjoy
Very restorative – good word! I will most certainly enjoy! 🙂 xo
I haven’t had a proper holiday for a while now. I’m over due for one in fact. Living on the Northern Beaches of Sydney I am lucky enough to visit the beach whenever I want however and I do find such visits relaxing, but not quite the same as a holiday.
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
I haven’t had a proper actual restful holiday in ages either, which is why I’m looking forward to this so much. You’re right – living near the beach is lovely but not quite the same as holidaying at the beach! Still lovely to have the beach on your doorstep though! 🙂
I am with you, all good holidays must include the beach. Have fun. xx N
Yes – so true! I will have fun – resting, walking, soaking up the sound of the surf and the sea breezes. Ahhh! 🙂 xo
The beach is my happy place and I get there when ever I can!
It’s one of my happy places too and it’s been too long. I cannot wait for my feet to hit the sand and the surf! 🙂
Rottnest was the perfect beach break for us – white sand, clear water and plenty of sunshine. I hope you enjoy your time off too Min – and say Hi to Jo from me – I’d love to meet you both IRL one day too – I HAVE to get to Qld some time before I stop blogging!
Rottnest sounds beautiful. I really want to go there next time I get to WA! I will say hi to Jo for you and YES come to Queensland! I’d love to meet you too! Hope you’re not stopping blogging any day soon BTW! xo
We haven’t beached in ages, only because I try to stay out of the sun now that I’ve had skin cancer. But it’s always so lovely, and there are so many advantages to it….
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh skin cancer is a scary thing Jodie! You need one of those long sleeved rashy tops and a hat and sunscreen but don’t miss out on the beach. It’s so good for the soul! 🙂 xo
I’m always on a beach holiday Min, because I literally live within 250 metres to beautiful Burleigh Beach and walk along it most mornings. However at present I’m on a different type of holiday tracing the Murray River down to SA. I think beach holidays are extremely therapeutic and I hope you return with your batteries fully recharged. Enjoy! #TeamLovinLife
You are so lucky Kathy! I am always very envious of your beach photos! I love Burleigh and have had a short holiday there the last couple of summers. Decided to revisit the Sunshine Coast this year. Your holiday going along the Murray River is looking so idyllic – loving all the photos! 🙂
I’ve been more offline than on and completely missed you were in Perth. I’m off to the Gold Coast this weekend myself. Enjoy your time away.
It was a fleeting visit to Perth. I tagged along with hubby who was there for a work conference. Enjoy the Gold Coast! 🙂
My 2 best friends and I go on a beach holiday for 3 or 4 nights every year. We’ve been doing it for 15 years and treasure the time together. There is something just so relaxing about walking on the beach, sitting there with a book, or going for a paddle. Enjoy your lovely time away Min!
Thanks Jo! Your beach holidays with your best friends sounds fabulous! I am very much looking forward to some time at the beach. I need it very much.
You don’t have to sell me on a beach holiday Min and I hope you have a relaxing and restorative time. You have had quite a few trying months so this is just what you need. Enjoy! x
Thanks Sue. It’s been rough since October. I’ve never craved the beach so much. Can’t wait to get there. xo
I agree with you on the benefits of a beach holiday, Min. I have a Wellness link up currently opened. Please feel free to link your post. Other readers and bloggers could benefit from it. Enjoy your time off!
Thanks Natalie. I linked up but was very slack with the comments because I went away on holidays and had a bit of a digital detox. I’ll do better next time!
I fantasise a little about a beach holiday but – as you know – I live at the beach so it doesn’t entirely make sense. I guess I like the idea of wandering about a strange place though, so that appeals. I’d think about a beach holiday somewhere ‘else’.
I hope you have a wonderful time. x
It’d still be a nice beach holiday for you but yes – somewhere else! I had a great time. Shame about the wet weather in the second week but it was still lovely. Got the post holiday blues now. x
As you know, I’ve only recently returned from a beach holiday too Min. I highly recommend it. Enjoy yourself xox 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
It was wonderful – heatwave, huge swells and then torrential rain … and all! lol xo
Even though I’m always about an hour from the ocean, we are going to a different part of New Zealand for a holiday at the end of the month. I can’t wait to see new things and drive the back roads taking photos! The ocean truly is good for the soul.
That sounds wonderful Betty! I love seeing new places and exploring and love taking photo’s too! Must be nearly time for you to go. Hope you have a wonderful time! xo
I see so many of my friends among your followers and commenting above. Glad to have found you. This post is going to be pinned all over my Pinterest boards and then printed out for ‘bathroom’ reading for my husband. My 60th birthday is this spring and I want to return to a beach, any beach!!!
I listen to recordings of water hitting the beach in order to relax! And you are so correct, there’s nothing like a little vitamin D and salty air to invigorate and restore us. Great post. Wish me luck!!
Such a lovely comment Leslie – thank you! I hope you get your beach holiday – sending loads of luck! Mine was wonderful. Just need to get over the post holiday blues now. xo
I love a great beach holiday. We don’t live anywhere near an ocean, but love to visit Mazatlan, Mexico for our beach time. Just listening to the waves immediately relaxes me. For a restful break closer to home, we go to our cabin in the mountains.
Hi Christie – I’d never heard of Mazatian but now that I’ve had I’ll have to Google it! I love a beach holiday but I actually think I might love the mountains even more. I envy your cabin in the mountains! I need a mountain getaway again very soon! Love to do a mountain getaway in winter and stay somewhere with a lovely fireplace. 🙂
Wonderful post! Really, Beach Holidays are best if you want to give yourself a treat of relaxation and peace of mind from your daily working routine. According to me, everyone should go to the beach holidays at least once a year to experience nature’s beauty and internal calm.
Thanks Tom – I totally agree! 🙂
Hi Min, thanks for #ZTT and also reminding me that I haven’t been to our apartment at the beach for too long. I just love it when I arrive and hear the ocean, smell the salty air and feel the sand between my toes. Let’s just take the day off and go to the beach! Have a great week. xx
You’re on Sue – let’s down tools and run off to the beach!! xo
Love the beach and we used to holiday at the beach too. So, today I went for a walk in the water and it was marvellous. I need to do it more and I will!
Denyse x
You’re so lucky to live close to the beach Denyse. I am craving the beach so much right now. I need a little getaway ASAP! xo
I loved how you pointed out that Magnesium-rich salt water is good for relaxing the muscles, reducing stress, and promoting better sleep. Honestly, I need all of this, especially the sleep part. My work has been stressful, and I’ve been sleeping less than 6 hours daily. Maybe I should take this chance to rent a condo by the beach and just relax for a bit.
Hi Elaina, go for it! Book yourself a holiday by the beach and get yourself in some salt water. Stress is so harmful to us in so many ways. It’s so important to take care of ourselves. xo
I do agree that laying down on the sand and reading a good book or walking around the shore and feeling the salty wind on my hair is relaxing. It has been such a long time since I’ve stepped away from the big city that just thinking about the beach feels me with joy. I think that is enough reason for me to spend my next vacation at the beach.
Hi Elaina – do it! Definitely book your next vacation at the beach. It’s so restorative and good for the soul!