Few things are better – or more relaxing – than spending the summer at the beach. If your idea of paradise involves sinking your toes into the sand as the sun warms you after a dip in the ocean, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that spending time near water does wonders for your mind and mood. And, experts say, there are smart ways to get even more mental health benefits during your seaside stay.
“A beach vacation is a wonderful time to take some time for yourself and have the opportunity and space to focus on your own mental health and well-being,” counselor and certified life coach Rosa Talavera-Kaufman tells Yahoo Life.
Here’s what experts recommend doing to maximize those feel-good vibes during your next trip to the beach.
Try something totally new for you
Resting with a read on the beach is all well and good, but try trying a whole new experience to stimulate your body and brain in the long run. This can be as simple as hopping on a paddleboard for the first time, but you can also up the ante by adding a bucket-list experience to your itinerary, like swimming in a bioluminescent bay among microorganisms that light up a shocking neon blue. .
“It’s scary, in a primal way, diving into dark, murky waters,” Seattle attorney Julia Guarino told Yahoo Life about trying the latter option at a beachfront resort. Oyster Bay Excellence in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “But watching the magical blue glow spread across your hands as you swim – I’ve never experienced anything like it,” she says, noting a sense of awe that many swimmers experience when swimming in bioluminescence.
Studies have shown that this feeling of wonder can be good for both your mental and physical health. Psychologist Reena Patel agree: “Spending time in a new environment [and] Engaging in enjoyable activities can improve mood, stimulate creativity, and inspire new ideas,” she told Yahoo Life. “When you’re on vacation at the beach, this is the perfect time to try something new.”
Dig your toes in the sand
According to Patel, the calming effects of a simple walk on the beach are known to help reduce anxiety. “As you’re walking barefoot on the sand, it’s a great time to enjoy your surroundings and practice grounding,” he explains.
“Maximizing a beach vacation can take the form of what I like to call mini-grounding techniques,” behavioral health clinician Mark Debus tells Yahoo Life. “This could include walking on the beach and focusing on the feel of the sand and waves on your feet and ankles.” He notes that people often unconsciously bring anxiety and tension from their home or work environments on vacation, and that practicing grounding strategies on a beach walk can help focus mindfulness—and even lead to a reduction in frequency. heart rate and blood pressure.
“In general, focus on the physical environment around you,” suggests Debus. “Stay grounded and do your best to disconnect and take your mind off things unrelated to relaxation.”
Life coach Talavera-Kaufman suggests taking that grounding walk under a full moon for maximum benefits. “For those looking to connect with their intuitive side, visiting the beach at night under the full moon and stars can be a powerful experience,” she says. Lunar cycles impact behavior, she explains, so being on the beach under a full moon “can help awaken intuition along with meditation and grounding practices.”
It may sound woo-woo, but many sunbathers – and scientific studies also – will attest that there is something about being near water that brings peace, calm and clarity. “It’s really great for your mental health and is a great opportunity for self-reflection, intentional thinking, and meditation,” adds Talavera-Kaufman.
Avoid the temptation of ‘work’
In the age of digital nomadism, working “on vacation” – also known as “work” – is about having a moment. But keeping up with Zoom calls and work commitments will actually undermine the potential physical and mental benefits of that beach trip, explains Debus. Instead, he advises travelers to “make a date with the beach!”
Aye Moah is a workplace mental health expert and CEO of productivity brand Boomerang — and she knows well the phenomenon of feeling unable to turn off your brain just because you’re at the beach. “It can be difficult to fully relax and enjoy the holidays with the stress of work in mind,” says Moah. She advises taking a few simple preparation steps before your vacation to eliminate work anxiety in advance and ensure you can truly disconnect once you arrive at your destination.
“Set clear boundaries with your manager and your team before talking about your availability,” she tells Yahoo Life. “By telling your team what they can expect – and you should make it clear that you will be completely offline – you avoid any chance of confusion.” Next, take a look at upcoming deadlines and submit everything you can in advance. Finally, leave a memo detailing who your colleagues should contact with different types of questions or problems. “That way,” explains Moah, “if anyone in your company or externally has a question while you’re away, it can be resolved and you won’t have to go back to 100 backlogged tasks. And you’ll be able to focus on relaxing knowing nothing will slip through the cracks while you’re gone.
Once you arrive on your long-awaited vacation, it’s time for the hardest and most powerful step of all: “Disconnect work email from your phones,” encourages Moah. And turn off Slack or Teams notifications — or better yet, uninstall the apps completely until you return. “Ultimately,” she says, you should “focus on fully unplugging—you’ll come back less stressed and more creative.”
