Let’s Go to the Beach!

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inHealth & Well-Being, Psychological Health, TravelTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

Oh how we’re missing our annual winter trip to the beach.  Cool, early morning walks in the surf.  Breakfast and lunch on the balcony surrounded by palm trees overlooking green water.  The moon and clouds playing hide-and-seek late at night, a brilliant shine reflecting intermittently on the sea.  We always look forward to the trip, as it’s a balmy, breezy respite from our regularly scheduled winter.  It also helps clear our heads, recharge our biological batteries, and reset our perspectives on life.

Ft. Lauderdale

This year, thanks to covid, we are visiting the beach via our imagination, and we’re happy to have you join us. Studies show that actions we imagine can seem real to our minds, “tricking” the brain into providing us benefits as if we were performing those actions.  Many athletes utilize this technique, called visualization, to attain their specific goals.

San Diego

Ok, ready?  Got your beach bag?  We close our eyes, breathe slowly & deeply, and . . . smell the sea . . . picture clumps of seaweed in the gently lapping surf . . . notice the wet sand between our toes . . . feel the sun and wind on our skin . . . hear the forlorn cries of seabirds . . . and taste the salt on our lips.  Be sure to wear your lip balm!

Seaweed art on the sand

Let’s take a walk along the water’s edge and soak up the recurrent, grounding sound of the waves.  According to an article from the University of New Hampshire, Is Being at the Beach Good for Your Health?, the beach can relieve stress fast.  The heat of the sun, the sound of the waves, and your feet in the sand, the article says, are the reasons for this happy result.

Coronado, with a storm approaching

While we’re absorbing the sun’s heat, (making sure we don’t overdo it) we are improving our health: increasing Vitamin D levels, helping prevent autoimmune disorders, and reducing our risk of certain cancers, according to Environmental Health Perspectives’ article Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health.  Maybe we were designed to enjoy the feel of the sun on our skin for these reasons.

Northern California

Enjoying the ocean air?  Breathing the air at the beach can enhance overall health by diversifying the microbes in our guts, says Dr. Zach Bush, one of the few triple-board certified physicians in the US.  The microbiome of most Americans, due to the standard American diet & overconsumption of antibiotics, includes a very small percentage of the 20,000 – 40,000 species of bacteria that constitute a heathy gut.  Breathing in diverse environments can help in a big way.

Dogs love the beach, too!

Has your heart rate increased?  We’re burning extra calories!  Walking in the sand requires more energy than walking on, say, a sidewalk.  If you’ve walked or jogged in the sand before, you know it’s a great workout.  And if we’re going to indulge in those yummy vacation sweet treats and cocktails later, burning extra calories is a must! 

Seaside, Oregon

Are you beginning to feel more of a connection with Nature?  Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, says, While in the restful, contemplative state associated with observing or interacting with water, it’s also common to experience feelings of awe.  Awe, he continues, increases our sense of connection with all that is.  

Northern California

Have you worked up an appetite?  Ok, ok, we’ll go for lunch!  I’m famished too!  There’s a great little open-air Mediterranean cafe within walking distance . . .

St. Maarten

Some day soon, we’ll resume our physical visits to the beach.  But for now, our imaginations take charge, engaging our senses and prompting an array of health benefits.  Thanks for joining us! We hope you had fun & feel rejuvenated!

Beach Blessings,

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

76 thoughts on “Let’s Go to the Beach!”

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed our stroll along the beaches. In good company too! Within an hours drive from home, I can actually walk along a beach and I might just do that if the cold wet weather would move away! We’d have to take a picnic as nowhere would be open, perhaps a take-away for coffee or tea. Thank you, Lisa! 😎😘

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  7. Thanks for the virtual beach vacation, especially now that it’s 40º in New York! We missed our yearly summer vacation in Montauk this year because of COVID but grateful we’re all well; hopefully next summer will be better, healthier and happier for everyone! ☀️ 🏖

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  8. Ahhh that was a little slice of heaven with your descriptive soothing words and fun facts. There is nothing like the beach to recharge our batteries! Thanks for the tour. It’s making me want to head out… someday though. We’ve had great weather so can’t complain. Just a bit of a drizzle finally today! ❤️👏👏👏 Have a great weekend! ❤️ Cindy

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  19. Gorgeous captures and totally agree with you on the beach! It’s been over a month since I’ve been and I’m missing it. It’s been chilly here in North Florida, but that’s not why I haven’t been. Crazy times right now getting holiday orders out. Hope to hit the beach and/or do some birding after Christmas. 🙂

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      1. We are social distancing but my BFF & hubby are coming for the holidays. It’s just the 2 of them and they don’t go anywhere except for the essentials. I might see one of my kids and the others not at all. Haven’t seen my grandkids in almost a year since this started. Praying the vaccines can slow it down and eventually we can get back to life. 🙂

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  26. As a lover of baseball, I’ll have to say that you hit a “Grand Slam” with this blog! The pictures were both beautiful and breathtaking! As far back as I can remember, my happy place has always been “at the beach”. Throughout my life, I have greatly benefited emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually by spending time at the beach. My first ever SUCCESSFUL attempt of “creative visualization” occurred at a beach some 20+ years ago. To this day, I can still remember that amazing “out-of-body”experience. While visualizing, I DID NOT use my eyesight at all. I closed my eyes and only listened to the words of the meditator or the sounds of the birds flying above as the waves crashed to the shore. I could feel the warmth of the sun and a slight breeze that filled the air. I could smell freshness throughout the area and taste the salt from the water even without it entering my mouth. I remember feeling calm and relaxed. It was truly the most peaceful and spiritual experience that I had ever had and one that I will never forget. Thank you for bringing back such beautiful and wonderful memories that touched my life in so many different ways.

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  27. Just returned from our actual beach trip. Not a luxury typical ly afforded this starving artist mother of 4. A rescheduled marriage that never did result thanks to covid. It was go now, or perhaps never go at all. The benefits of being sea side, listening to the waves, the fresh Caribbean air restorative in so many ways. But more remarkable to me, the destruction to people’s lives who count on tourism to put food in their bellies. Especially in 3rd world countries who have no government back drops.

    Everything so well properly cleaned and sanitized, ect. To me, the fear of people traveling is hurting more people in different ways than Covid actually is.

    Enjoyed your photos!

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  29. Thanks for the virtual trip to Florida, where I’ve never been. It hasn’t called out to me because I don’t like heat. I live in a rain forest and it suits me fine. Your photos, however, are beautiful. Thanks for them. Happy New Year.

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  32. We love walking on the beach … we feel priviledge to do this almost every day here in Langebaan (we have an amazing lagoon with a white sandy beach). Good for the legs and good for the mind ☺️.
    And your photo’s in this post, are really great 👍🏻.

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