Why am I happiest at the beach?

IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST to tell us that a week at the beach makes us happier. Some of the reasons are obvious: We're surrounded by beauty. We face no deadlines. We can take control of our days—sleeping in, taking walks, reading good (or trashy) books, eating fresh food.



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The sunlight soaking into our skin at the beach spikes our bodies' production of Vitamin D and serotonin, releasing all kinds of feel-good chemicals in our brains.

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Stress-Relieving Waves The sound of waves has also been proven to relax the mind. As waves come in, crash, and then recede again, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, which slows down the brain and helps promote relaxation. Shuster describes this as “de-stimulating our brains”.

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Being close to the sea means you can enjoy an array of water sports and activities like – surfing, jet ski, kayaking, boat trips, snorkeling, deep sea diving and so much more. These activities not just keep you fit but form a major part of your vacation.

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Studies show that there are clear links when it comes to living in a coastal area and mental well-being. Being at the beach means our mind and body both get a cognitive break. Quite simply, it's almost like pressing the reset button for yourself.

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Likewise, spending time at the beach can lessen anxiety and nervous system arousal, which is what makes you feel stressed and anxious. It lifts your mood. Time on the beach increases your self-esteem and promotes relaxation. People with attention deficit disorder can feel calmer at the beach.

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Salt Water Is Healthy For You Not only is the salty air good for you, but so is the salt water. Salt water is excellent for cleaning up infections and acts as an antibacterial. There is iodine in the water as well, which is known to help boost your immune system.

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The proximity to the ocean can help moderate temperatures, making it a beneficial place to live year-round. The breezes that come in off the sea, often considered refreshing, bring in clean air, which can result in better health, especially for people who suffer with asthma and allergies.

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The fresh salty sea air is full of negative ions, believed to help alleviate depression and the increased levels of Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, which soaks into our skin makes us feel good,” says Joe S.

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Without rinsing, studies have shown that after six hours, their skin's biome began to return to what they were before swimming. Factors that can increase the risk of infection would be immunosuppression or an open wound where the ocean organisms may contact your skin and body and cause infection if left untreated.

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Spending time in the sunlight isn't just a good dose of vitamin D: it can actually help reduce depression. Exposure to sunlight is believed to boost the brain's release of serotonin, which can help improve your mood and make you feel more calm and focused. When you need a mood boost, head down to the shore.

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Plus, it's exfoliating. Jones noted that the salt in ocean water can exfoliate skin, too. It can “get rid of the rough skin that builds up over time, removes those dead skin cells and then gives you this fresh, new skin underneath,” Jones said. This will leave you with brighter and smoother skin, added Garshick.

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“As well as improving sleep, recent scientific research shows that coastal living can also help in warding off depression and anxiety.” In fact, you don't even have to get your feet wet to feel the mental and health benefits of living by the sea.

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