We don’t know too many people who aren’t fond of a trip to an Aussie beach.
Whether it be jumping in the salt-water for a swim, going surfing, building sandcastles, going for a leisurely stroll, watching the sun-rise (or set in the West), or even just relaxing on the sand, it’s hard to beat a day at the beach.
Well, in some great news for all of you beach-goers out there, scientists have actually declared that going to the beach is good for your health.
Can we get a hi-five?!
According to a story published by news.com.au, research studies from around the world have identified that spending time at the beach improves happiness, general wellbeing and even brain function.
A study paper published by Kobe University in Japan – Effects of the Coastal Environment on Well Being – analysed the mental health of people who had a view of the ocean from their home, compared to those who didn’t have an ocean view, and concluded that people living in coastal environments had increased positive emotions, and a better overall general well-being.
This reflects other research data published across the world.
A study published by J.Aaron Hipp, environmental health expert and Assistant Professor at the Brown School, in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, outlined that research studies have shown that natural environments like beaches and waterfront parks offer more restorative benefits to people than gyms, entertainment venues and the built urban environment.
Further to this, research has identified benefits associated with sun exposure, such as a boost in vitamin D supply.
Writing in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, researcher, M. Nathaniel Mead states that the best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply.
He goes on to suggest that this increase in vitamin D offers added health benefits, including an increase in endorphins, and even prevention of autoimmune disease.
While this might be enough motivation for most of us, the health benefits of the beach don’t stop there, with ocean or sea water containing high levels of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iodine, which online health publication, Medical Daily suggests may help fight infection, offer therapeutic effects, and potentially help the body to heal and detoxify.
In the same article, Medical Daily also links swimming with decreased stress and an increased sense of well-being, while it references a research study from Iran that looked the effects of swimming on depression rates in students.
The Iranian research study, which compared depression rates in a swimming group and a control group, identified a “significant reduction in student’s depression rates between swimming and control groups,” suggesting that swimming can actually reduce risk of depression.
Another win.
If you do need any more motivation to go to the beach after this, it might be worth your while popping an episode of Baywatch on, and getting all nostalgic about the 90s, but for me, the health benefits of heading to the beach are more than enough motivation.
See you in the surf.
P.S. don’t forget to slip, slop, slap while you’re out in the sun and avoid those nasty UV rays.