BEACH BENEFITS: For the Body & Mind
If there is one thing that COVID-19 has taught the world. It’s to be grateful.
One of the things we should all be most grateful for is the fact that Kenya has some of the best beaches on this planet.
Beaches aren't just great for the view but have numerous benefits on the mind and body:
1. The beach can immediately relieve stress
The calming effects of the waves and sun combined is enough to make a person leave their stress behind. The heat of the sun, the sound of the waves, and your feet in the sand can help to fight off any feelings of anxiety and stress.
2. A person, no matter who, can always sleep better after being at the beach
There are three main factors that can inhibit a person’s sleep:
i. Stress
ii. Not being physically tired
iii. Imbalances in hormones.
The beach can help to relieve stress, regulate hormones, and give you the daily dose of exercise you need to feel tired.
3. You can absorb your daily amount of Vitamin D, and more!
Spending as little time as 10 minutes in the sun, you can absorb an entire day’s worth of vitamin D! The extra Vitamin D you absorb throughout your day at the beach will be stored in your body to be used later.
4. Plenty of opportunities to exercise
Whether you’re swimming in the ocean, walking in the sand, or going for a jog, there are endless opportunities to exercise at the beach!
5. Your skin will look better and feel healthier
The sand will work to exfoliate skin, the salt water will detoxify pores once the sun opens them up, and the iodine in the water will destroy any bacteria in your skin that can cause blemishes. Just make sure to keep yourself protected from too much sun, by wearing sunscreen
6. Going to the beach can improve your ability to fight off infections.
You may have experienced it previously – that painful sting when an open wound is exposed to salt water. Fortunately that pain is a sign that your wound is actually being cleansed by the water. Salt water has unique antibacterial and antifungal properties making it excellent for external infections; however it also helps internal infections as well. The iodine in ocean water, which has other benefits we’ll discuss in point nine, actually is a fantastic immune system booster. It not only is highly antiseptic (it’s used in hospitals and surgeries all the time), but it helps boost the function of the thyroid gland which, in turn, boosts our immune system’s function.
7. Reduce inflammation and pain with water aerobics.
Water aerobics are, by far, the easiest aerobic activity for the elderly, individuals with joint pain, arthritis, or have recently been in surgery. This is because the water offers a great deal of resistance without any impact at all and actually reduces the weight of a person submerged in water by around ninety percent.The natural inclination to inhale deeply when you first step on the beach is actually an automatic response to the quality of the air.
8. Enjoy being able to breathe easier during and after a day at the beach.
Individuals with asthma, COPD, or breathing difficulties will find that it’s far easier to breathe when on the beach, than almost anywhere else. This is because not only are the chest muscles surrounding the lungs relaxed when a person steps onto the beach, but the air itself is actually charged with negative ions that work to increase oxygen absorption in the lungs.
9. Increase your body’s levels of iodine by swimming in sea or ocean water.
Iodine is actually a supplement individuals take because of all its health benefits on the body.
Having adequate levels of iodine in the body ensures that energy levels and metabolic rates are optimal, that hair and nail growth is at its peak, and that hormone levels are regulated.
Iodine, surprisingly, also is taken for its anti-carcinogenic properties and for the fact that it can help reduce fibrocystic disease symptoms. Fortunately for those who want to maintain the optimal levels of iodine in their bodies, heading out into the ocean or sea water is a great way to do so!Iodine is naturally present in the water because of the living organisms within it. While it’s not possible to say the exact amount of iodine present in the water, this essential supplement is absorbed through your skin when you swim.
10. Connect with yourself and spirit at the beach.
Whether you’re religious or not, heading to the beach can put you in touch with your spirit and consciousness. The vastness of the ocean, expansive horizon, and beauty of the surroundings makes you truly appreciate nature. Additionally, it’s when we’re so surrounded by nature and beauty that we can feel at peace and release ourselves from the daily stresses and troubles in the modernised world. Practicing a bit of meditation or yoga on the beach is highly recommended as there is no better place in the world to truly feel at one with the earth and ourselves.
As you can see, hitting the beach is something that truly has endless benefits.In fact, these benefits aren’t anything new; they have been known for hundreds of years.
Even before the 1800’s, physicians have been “prescribing” patients with vacations to the beach to help combat various ailments such as depression, anxiety, stress, arthritis, and more.
We think it’s time you headed down to The Zubeida to experience all these beach benefits!