By Lisa Malin
Warm sand between your toes, a gentle breeze caressing your body, shimmering sunlight bouncing off the sea, and the rhythmic sound of waves carrying you to some far-off, dreamy place. Nothing says rest, relaxation, and wellbeing as much as time spent at the beach — and science backs this up. Spending time at the beach does the body good.
Blue Mind
While much attention has been given to the therapeutic properties of green spaces, recent research is shining a spotlight on the health benefits associated with "blue" spaces, especially the sea and coastline. Studies show that when we are near water, our stress hormones and blood pressure drop, our breathing and heart rate slow, and we feel calm and present.
Marine biologist and Blue Mind author Wallace J. Nichols refers to this cognitive and mental state change as the blue mind: "the mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, on, or under water," marked by feelings of "calm, peace, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment."
Researchers also point out that human beings have a natural preference for the color blue, and that simply looking at the ocean can alter our brain waves and help calm us down. Couple that with the rolling sound of waves crashing on the shore, which has been shown to soothe our overstimulated minds, and you have the perfect recipe for emotional wellness.
The Sun's Part in It
It's important to understand the role sunlight plays in the equation. Although the harmful effects of sunlight have gotten negative attention, sunshine has also been shown to have positive effects on our physical and mental health.
When we spend time outdoors, the sun's rays trigger our brain to produce serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins — "happy" hormones associated with feelings of calm, pleasure, joy, love, and connection. Higher levels of these feel-good hormones are linked to emotional wellbeing, whereas lower levels are associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The hormonal high we get from the sun may even drive our desire to sunbathe.
It's also worth noting that a daily dose of sunlight is essential for regulating our sleep-wake cycle and ensuring we get a good night's rest. Sunlight triggers our body to produce melatonin, our sleep hormone, responsible for telling us when it's time to go to bed and time to wake up. Deep, restful sleep, which is so elusive for many, has a host of health benefits, including better energy.
It's safe to suggest that some of the more salubrious effects of being at the beach may be directly linked to days spent basking in the bright, dazzling light and syncing our sleep-wake cycle.
The Goldilocks Dose
Sunlight is also our primary source of vitamin D, an essential vitamin that plays an important role in mood, immunity, inflammation, and disease prevention. Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D is not easily found in food, and studies further suggest that supplementation does not confer the same health benefits as direct exposure to sunlight.
Given our indoor lifestyles and tendency to cover up when outside, a nearly whopping 42 percent of us are deficient in this important vitamin — prompting some researchers to wonder if we should take a Goldilocks approach to sun exposure guidelines and find a dose that's just right.
Like most things in life, it turns out that when it comes to sunlight, moderation and balance may be key.
Originally published in Beach Happy Magazine, Volume 9 (Summer 2022). Story by Lisa Malin. This article summarizes general research and is not medical advice; talk to your doctor about sun exposure and vitamin D.
