There seem to be two types of vacations — the busy and the beach. As wonderful as the busy vacation is — exploring cities and towns, experiencing new dishes and new views — it is the beach vacation that is, ultimately, considered the more relaxing, the more rejuvenating. Now there’s research to back that up.
A two-year study by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health examined the engagement of 2,750 Brits aged 8 to 80 with the natural environment. The research by Katherine Ashbullby and Dr. Mathew White found that all outdoor locations make us feel calm and refreshed. But it was the coast that was most psychologically beneficial, followed by the countryside. Urban parks were found least restorative.
Even after taking into account age, distance traveled, presence of others and the activity undertaken, participants still experienced the most positive feelings seaside. The researchers are unsure whether we enjoy the beach because we’re hard-wired that way or simply because we think we should.
Surely, the sunshine at the shore is a factor. We need a bit of sun exposure each day to stay healthy. Our bodies produce vitamin D from the sun’s rays. The super nutrient not only protects us from heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast, prostate and colon cancers (according to the Archives of Internal Medicine), but it also helps guard against depression and insomnia.
Another recent study from the European Centre for Environment found that lower levels of sunlight are linked to allergies and eczema. So sunlight is good. But take care: Too much can cause severe burns, dehydration and skin cancer. It can even land you in trouble with the law, as it did recently for a New Jersey mother/tanning fan who is accused of taking her young daughter in a tanning booth with her.
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Perhaps the most salient point we should take from the British study about the benefits of the natural environment is that exercise in the open air is what provides emotional benefits, connecting with nature. Not sitting on our duffs in the sun.
Sounds like a really good reason to make your next R&R a busy beach vacation.
– written by Jodi Thompson
The beach has other drawbacks (see woman in blog)I’ll go for the busy vacation anytime.
Great timing with this article. And I agree, laying around in the sun isn’t making the best of a beach vacation. Hence, the beach vollyball net! I was born on the beach and still live within a short drive. And when I vacation, yup, the busy beach.
Jodi, you continue to be easy to read and entertaining.
On our way to a “busy” vacation and I am a little concerned that I may just fall apart. Not so for my husband. He is now retired and has been doing alot of relaxing for the last few weeks. At least it is a “vacation”!
I love tooling through old places and I love to eat but there is nothing as relaxing as the smell and sound of the ocean. I’m likin’ the beach and will glob on the sunscreen.