| Sun worshipers rejoice – the beach can be a | | | | their muscles, and burn calories without damaging |
| more healthy and beneficial place to take a | | | | their joints or risking long-term injuries. |
| vacation than even a health and fitness resort. | | | | - Burn calories while toning muscles, but even |
| Visitors to the beaches can leave with more than | | | | standing in the ocean uses muscles. |
| just a great tan; they can return from their | | | | - Remaining upright in the ocean requires the use |
| vacation mentally sharpened, physically stronger, | | | | of muscles in the back, legs, and arms leaving a |
| and happier than when they left. | | | | beach vacationer stronger and more fit than |
| Health Benefit 1: Mentally Sharpened | | | | before they got in the water even if they never |
| Relaxing on the beach may seem like a | | | | swim a single stroke. |
| “brainless” pastime, but giving your mind | | | | Health Benefit 3: Happier |
| time off from the pressures and stress of work | | | | It goes without saying that most people return |
| and a hectic schedule will leave you feeling less | | | | from their vacation happier than they were when |
| tense, less stressed, and recharged when it’s | | | | the left. Relaxation and sunshine have that effect |
| time to head home. | | | | on people! But there is a chemical explanation for |
| Employees who take regular vacations return to | | | | the happiness felt after a beach vacation: both |
| work with more energy and focus than when | | | | endorphins and vitamin D elevate moods naturally. |
| they left, making time on the beach an | | | | - Endorphins: These natural mood elevators are |
| investment in your long-term performance at | | | | released by the body after physical activity. A |
| work. | | | | five minute walk on the beach is sufficient to get |
| Health Benefit 2: Physically Stronger | | | | endorphins flowing, making beach-goers feel |
| Next to the sand on the beach, you will find the | | | | happier. |
| ocean, or lake, or lagoon. Whichever large body of | | | | - Vitamin D: While too much sun can leave a |
| water you can see from your lounge chair, | | | | vacationer burnt and painful, a certain amount of |
| jumping in and taking a swim is some of the best | | | | vitamin D is recommended daily and can be |
| exercise you can get. | | | | obtained through exposure to the sun. Insufficient |
| Benefits of swimming include: | | | | amounts of vitamin D impairs the calcium density |
| - Swimming is low-impact cardiovascular exercise, | | | | in bones and has been linked to seasonal affective |
| meaning that swimmers raise their heart rate, use | | | | disorder and depression. |