There are many more ways to stay healthy than going to the gym and eating well. One of the best places that you can look after your mental and physical health is on the beach. Soak up the therapeutic effects of water while practicing a sport or leisure activity, and you’re sure to feel great. But which one is best for you?
In this post, we’ll take a look at seven beach activities you can do to take care of your health. Hopefully, it’ll help you to decide the best way to keep your mind and body in top condition next time you go to the beach. Let’s check them out.
Swim
The first one is simple. Swimming is a great way to look after your health – both mental and physical. It’s one of the most effective workouts as it leaves no part of your body unused. Not only that, but it also builds up your core strength and cardio endurance as you tackle water resistance. Swimming is often used as a recovery method for athletes who are coming back from long term injuries too since it’s virtually impact-free.
It’s also a great way to cool off if it’s a hot and humid day. The only things you should be careful of when it comes to swimming at the beach are currents and riptides. These can be dangerous, even if you’re not a strong swimmer. So, swim with someone else and stay close to the shore if you have any doubts.
Last, swimming is a great way to exercise on the beach as you don’t need any equipment. Just pack your swimsuit and some goggles and you’re ready to go!
Stand up Paddle Boarding
Now for a sport where you will need a bit of equipment. Don’t worry though, it’s easy to rent what you need for stand up paddleboarding at many beaches, or to buy an easily transportable iSUP. Stand up paddleboarding has exploded in popularity in the last few years and it’s not hard to see why. Like swimming, it’s a low impact activity and it will give you a full-body workout, vastly improving your balance and stability. Even the most relaxed paddle boarders burn more than 300 calories an hour (more for those who surf SUP and tour).
Paddle Boarding is also great for your mental health as it allows you to escape from the stresses of everyday life and be completely in the present moment. No wonder everyone who does it falls in love with it!
Surfing
Another board sport that has big health benefits is surfing. More strenuous than regular stand up paddleboarding, surfers burn anywhere between 500 and 800 calories an hour. It’s not just good for losing weight, but toning what you’ve already got too. Be prepared for aching quads, core, and upper body afterward (in a good way though).
Surfers often have a great core and upper body strength, and you can see from how relaxed your average surfer is that it does wonders for your mental health too.
Yoga
There are a couple of ways that you can make the most of yoga at the beach. And when it comes to health benefits, the list is endless. Not only will you improve flexibility and respiration, but yoga can actually protect you for injury. You may be surprised to know that many soccer players who play until their late 30s and early 40s do it!
While it’s cool to go to a retreat and do yoga on dry land, have you ever thought of combining it with stand up paddleboarding? That’s right, SUP yoga is one of the many ways you can use your board. Just imagine how peaceful it would be catching the sunrise as you float offshore in the downward dog position!
Take a walk along the beach
When going to the beach, you don’t need to have all sorts of fancy equipment or organized exercise to find health benefits. You can do something as simple as going for a walk. When walking on sand, your ligaments, muscles, and tendons are all working harder – especially on soft and dry sand. This is great if you’re coming back from injury or aren’t used to intense exercise. Even better is running on the beach – just watch out for stones and shells if you’re barefoot!
Play Sports
All of the beach activities that are good for your health that we’ve mentioned so far are easy to do solo. However, what about a group of friends or family who want to make the most of their time at the beach? Why not play a sport. If you have a bat and ball, you could have a game of rounders. Or, throw down a couple of bags and use them as soccer goals. Perhaps it’ll be something as simple as playing frisbee! Any kind of physical activity is not only good for your body but your circadian rhythm too.
Read a book
Last of all, who says that all health benefits have to be physical? You won’t lose weight by reading a book or tone any muscles, but you will be sharpening your brain. And a beach is one of the best places to read – especially if you want to destress. Ever wondered why so many people get through lots of reading on holiday?!
