Posted on Nov 18, 2019 in Senior Activities
A day at the beach isn’t just an opportunity for fun. Believe it or not, a day at the beach can improve your health. In fact, these benefits have been scientifically proven.
Whether you are in desperate need of a beach day or you are a regular beach-dweller, here is how a day at the beach can improve your health.
Weather can significantly influence mood. Have you ever noticed you feel happier on a sunny day compared to a gloomy day? Sunlight stimulates the release of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, promoting feelings of wellbeing.
As well as the sunlight’s effect on mood, the sound of the ocean can calm your mind. Water’s calming effects have been apparent even in early Roman times. Spend time listening to the waves rolling into shore and back out to encourage your mind to enter a meditative state.
If you are looking for the perfect holiday for relaxing, choose a tropical island. Find a hotel room with a relaxing view of the beach and experience true bliss and watch the worries and stress of daily life float away.
Walking barefoot gives your feet a chance to stabilize and support themselves. Sand will activate the vestibular system involved in balance.
With every step, sand will cause your feet to sink into the ground. To move along the sand, greater muscle activation is required. Each part of the foot strengthens, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Furthermore, sand’s uneven surface will encourage your ankle to move through its full range of motion. This leads to improved foot mechanics and better injury prevention.
With its incredible anti-inflammatory properties, saltwater can help to reduce joint pain. Saltwater reduces inflammation of the joints by drawing water out of swollen, inflamed cells. This reduced inflammation results in reduced pain.
Saltwater therapy has long been a form of treatment, especially in people with arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis patients, in particular, experience less pain following immersion in saltwater.
Even better, saltwater is also anti-ageing! The minerals in seawater preserve skin elasticity, allowing you to maintain your youthful glow.
The immune system is often taken for granted. Your body has surprising ways of fighting off foreign matter that may cause significant harm to your health. But, these fascinating abilities aren’t learned overnight. You have to build your immunity so that your body can learn to fight off these antigens.
Walking barefoot in the sand helps to boost your immunity. Sand is a natural exfoliant, so you’ll also end up with beautifully soft skin. The sea contains vitamins and minerals with antibiotic properties. This makes swimming in saltwater another great way to boost the immune system.
Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption of minerals from the intestines. Not only this, but vitamin D is also essential for healthy skin and bones.
Yes, vitamin D can be obtained from your diet, but the best way to obtain vitamin D is through sun exposure. When you are outside, your skin is exposed to sunlight. The ultraviolet B rays from the sun provide sufficient energy to transform the cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D.
Just be careful not to get too much sun. There are health risks with ultraviolet radiation, namely melanoma and cataracts. Be sun smart – wear sun protection and minimize your direct sun exposure.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to feel the sun on your face, sand between your toes, and hear waves rolling onto the shoreline so you may improve your health.
If you are interested in a community that is near the beach so you may take advantage of the health benefits, Landmark Senior Living has four Massachusetts assisted living communities to choose from. Whether you are interested in assisted living, memory care, or a respite/short term stay, Landmark has all of the services that you or your loved one might need. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us today.
Based out of Wellington, New Zealand, creative writer Johanna Cider loves spending her weekend at the beach. She finds solace taking in the salty, crisp air, and the feeling of sand between her toes. To read more of her work, follow her on Tumblr.
