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Sunny Days

With fall starting to show its colors, and brisk days breaking into the heat we’ve grown used to, I find myself clinging to the beachy days I haven’t lost yet.  Access to the waterfront has always been something I’ve cherished.  I love the water, the smells, sights and sounds of a solid beach day.  Aside from always clearing my mind and refreshing my energy, the beach offers physical health benefits like natural exercise, tons of vitamin D and better sleep.

Okay, you might ask, what is natural exercise?  From the walk to your perfect relaxed spot on the sand, to your stroll along the shoreline, walking on sand requires much greater effort than walking on any hard surface.  Sand walks burn more calories and strengthen muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle.  They are also ideal for those with hips, knee and back pain because sand puts less stress on the body.  Let’s not leave out a good swim in the ocean.  Swimming works the entire body and is super easy on the joints.  Do what’s right for your body, but natural gyms are the best and there to be enjoyed.

Vitamin D is something that 42% of Americans are deficient in, to understate it, that’s a lot!  Of course protecting your skin is a must when it comes to persistent sun exposure, but with the addition of sun hats, beach umbrellas and other SPF friendly accessories to dozens of sunblock options, there are ways to soak up the benefits of the sun without putting your largest organ, your skin, at risk.  Vitamin D plays a significant role in the health of our bones and teeth.  It is not naturally produced by the body unless in the presence of ultraviolet light, so it’s necessary to consume foods rich in vitamin D and to spend time in the sun.  Soak it up to boost the function of your nervous system, brain health and immunity, or just because it can feel so good on your skin.

Good sleep is incredibly important for our bodies and our minds.  It’s also something that many people struggle to get.  The ocean offers an environment conducive to relaxation, which is always a good state to be in for sleeping.  In addition, barometric pressure from the sea level, an increase in core body temperature and the reset to your biological clock can all help to regulate your sleep cycle.  Ocean sounds are also the only documented sounds that have been proven to help with sleep.  So whether your trip helps your night time snooze or maybe a midday sand nap, grab those z’s!

Photo by Tommy Kwak on Unsplash
My mother always told me when I had a cold to suck up some sea water, if I needed a pedicure to walk in the sand and that the ocean would make my dreams sweeter.  As a picky child who hated the feeling of sand everywhere, I fought my mother tooth and nail on these facts for years, but she’s right.  The water has always made me feel good, the proof is in the pudding if you will.  So take my mama’s advice and get out there!  Go let nature do its thing while you do yours.

by Catie Zimmerman

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