It’s a hot summer day, and nothing sounds better than going to the beach to cool down. Is there anything better than a day at the beach? Between the salty air, the calming sound of the waves, and the sun beaming down on you, there is no other place quite like it. How do you feel after a day at the beach? Happy, recharged, and relaxed. That’s because the beach has many positive effects on you, both physically and mentally. Read on for the benefits of the beach – and give yourself a reason to make a trip!

Stress Relief

There's a reason why you feel so relaxed after a trip to the beach – serotonin is released. Serotonin is the feel-good chemical in your brain that is almost immediately released when you step into the sunshine. Hearing the sound of the waves crashing will lull you into a relaxed state. It has been found that simply staring at the ocean can actually change our brain waves' frequency, meaning this may put you into a mild meditation. So the next time you are feeling stressed, make it a point to find a beach. Your brain health deserves it!

Vitamin D

When you think of the beach, you probably associate it with sunshine. One of the main benefits of being in the sun is soaking up vitamin D. Vitamin D is believed to boost cognitive function and it is also good for muscle, bone, and joint health. Just spending 15 minutes in the sunlight is enough to get your recommended vitamin D dose for the day. Just remember – always wear your sunscreen and sunglasses!

Exercise

The beach is the perfect place to get your exercise in, without even really feeling like you’re exercising! Have you noticed that walking on sand is much more difficult than walking on pavement? That’s because when you walk on sand, you are using different muscles than when you walk on pavement. Of course, when you’re at the beach, you have to get in some swimming! Swimming in the ocean is an incredible workout. You can burn around 300 calories from just 30 minutes of swimming. Also, let’s face it – a day at the beach is much more enjoyable than a day at the gym!

Seafood

Obviously, we were saving the best for last – the food! When you’re on the beach, there’s likely to be seafood restaurants in the area. Fresh seafood is a great source for omega-3 fatty acids. A lack of omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to increase stress. When you get these omegas into your diet, it can support your brain health!

Go on and plan your next trip to the beach. You'll be glad you did!