5 Reasons You Need a Beach Vacation

Everyone needs a vacation now and then. British researcher Scott McCabe noted that vacations’ “personal benefits have been found to include: rest and recuperation from work; provision of new experiences leading to a broadening of horizons and the opportunity for learning and intercultural communication; promotion of peace and understanding; personal and social development; visiting friends and relatives; religious pilgrimage and health; and, subjective wellbeing”.

But why is a beach vacation simply the best type of vacation? Here are our 5 top reasons.

5. Vitamin D and the Sun

When our skin is directly bared to the sun, our bodies actually make vitamin D, a vital tool that helps not only with calcium absorption, but also with strengthening our skeletal system. Some vitamin D comes from diet, but a most of it comes from the sun. According to the Mayo Clinic, as little as 10 minutes of sun exposure can provide us with our daily dose of vitamin D. As said by the vitamin D council, “your body can produce 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin D in just a little under the time it takes for your skin to turn pink.” (After that we recommend putting on some spf-30)

4. Sand is an exfoliate

We all know that when you go to the beach, sand gets everywhere. However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The sand does a astonishing job exfoliating our feet, hands, and body. Nothing removes dead skin cells like course bits of sand and shells does!

In addition to the exfoliate properties of sand, a study that focused on running and walking in the sand (you know, like on a beach), researchers found that walking on sand requires 1.6 to 2.5 times the energy than it takes on a hard surface.

“Our muscles perform more mechanical work when running or walking on sand than on a hard surface,” said study co-author Dr. Thierry M. Lejeune, M.D.

3. Salt Water is Amazing for your Skin

Here is a tip for your beach days. When you first get to the beach, spend 10 minutes lying out in the sun, then head down to the water. Once the warm sun has opened up your pores, the salt water is then able to go in and pull out the toxins. This helps get rid of blemishes, uneven skin, and excess oils. Once in the surf, the iodine and salt in the water will work to utterly destroy bacteria and fungi on your skin that cause breakouts. Having sufficient levels of iodine in the body guarantees that energy levels and metabolic rates are operating at peak levels, and that hormone levels are synchronized. Iodine, amazingly, also is known for its anti-carcinogenic effects. The iodine magnesium, potassium and salt in the sea water is absorbed through your skin when you swim.

2. Salt Air is great for Your Lungs

We already talked about how awesome the salt water is for your skin and body, but did you know that the salt air is great for your lungs as well? During the 1700’s and 1800’s sea air was considered a cure all for everything from tuberculosis to depression. Cystic Fibrosis Patients had fewer pulmonary flare-ups and required fewer antibiotics when exposed to salt air because the salt draws more water into the surface of the airways, opening them up and helping patients breathe easier. Inhaling a high salt-containing liquid (like sea air) into the lungs helps draw fluid out of the tissue and create a surface lining that helps you breathe easier.

1. The Sounds of the Beach

We have all heard those CD’s that claim to help you de-stress. Almost all of them contain the sound of the waves crashing on the seashore. In a recent study at the University of North Florida, researchers found that subjects who listened to ocean waves had considerably lower muscle tension, heart rates, and self-reported stress—basically, a less strained mental and physical state. The team also saw positive changes occur relatively quickly, within five to seven minutes of listening to nature.

So if you need a break from the stress of day to day living, then a trip to the beach is probably the best thing you can do for your body, and soul. And if you are planning a vacation to the beach, why not go one step further and head to Fiji? Fiji is in the South Pacific, and is therefore on an opposite seasonal schedule then the northern hemisphere. That is right, when you are freezing in snow covered winter, Fiji is basking in the warmth of summer.

So head to Fiji and enjoy a vacation that will refresh your body and spirit.