A day at the beach offers far more than a sun-kissed glow. Spending time by the ocean, even a lake, can benefit both physical and mental well-being in ways that many people overlook. Even if that time on the beach is with family.
Back in June, I loaded up my new Volkswagen Tiguan with luggage, water guns, beach toys, snacks, my dog, and my two boys, Harry (8) and Jacob (3.5) for a road trip down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We were joined by the rest of the Himmel gang: my younger brother Eric and his wife Jasmin, baby brother Steven and his wife Stephanie, my dad and step-mom Patty, and Patty’s daughter Christine and her fiancé Christian. This was our annual family vacation.
We rented a large house on Vrbo with plenty of room to coexist peacefully. The previous two years, we went to Lake of the Ozarks then Lake Tahoe. The rental houses were great, but it was a tight squeeze. Too many people sharing too few bathrooms, me either sharing a bed with my kids or sleeping on the couch, and hardly enough elbow room to toast an English muffin without someone knocking the spreadable butter out of your hand. Eight adults, two wily kids, and two dogs is a lot of energy. Accounting for family dynamics forged from bickering, annoyance, and miscommunication, makes the perfect setting for frustration and fights. And, boy, did we have them. This year, I wanted to avoid that nonsense. It’s vacation, after all; a chance to escape everyday frustrations. So, for the Gulf Shores trip, I took lead on choosing the rental house and opted to go bigger. Love, like a fire, needs air to flourish. Smothering it will always snuff out the flame. Theoretically, in this spacious house, we’d be fine. But families are going to family…
Thankfully, we had the beach. As a solar-powered family raised on boats, and in lakes and pools, the beach is our kind of place. Bright, vast, and wet—thanks to the gulf slapping perfect boogieboarding waves. If my siblings or parents were bugging me—or if I was bugging them—any of us could escape to another part of the house or to the miles of sand and water just a few steps from our rented door to bask in the perks of the beach.
Perk #1: Sunbathing
Having an even tan without the burn can do wonders for your self-image. It shows that you are out there enjoying nature, rather than living inside at a desk under fluorescent lights. (Or, in the case of baby brother Steven, anchor down in the lounge on the second-floor wraparound porch.) But there’s more than just good looks. Sunlight, when enjoyed safely, helps the body produce vitamin D, which supports bone and immune health, and helps keep your muscles and brain cells active. (Which explains why Steven’s back always hurts.) Of course, you should always wear sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours.
Perk #2: Getting your steps in
Walking along the beach provides gentle, low-impact exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen leg muscles, and enhance balance. Strolling through the sand requires more effort than walking on a hard surface, so you’re engaging muscles that don’t regularly get a chance to show off.
Perk #3: Going for a swim
Harry loved making the joke that he was excited to “go in the hot tub,” by which he meant, going for a swim in the Gulf. During the summer, the Gulf’s water temps average in the mid-80s. Cold plunging has its fans for several health reasons, though that’s best reserved after a workout. When enjoying a relaxing summertime beach vacation, warm water is paramount. It’s still refreshing and since your veins won’t freeze over, you can spend more time swimming, jumping over the waves, and throwing a football or Frisbee around. All activity is good activity, but swimming, especially, engages nearly all of your muscles while improving flexibility, coordination, balance, and posture. And because it’s also a low-impact activity, it can do wonders if you’re healing from an injury or working through another condition that hinders you on land. Even wading in for a bit of splashing is enough to reduce stress.
Perk #4: Taking in that glorious beachy air
There’s a reason Target sells candles with scents like Sea Salt & Fresh Coconut and Dune Grass. The fresh seaside air can leave you feeling refreshed and energized. A beach day is a gift to your ears and eyes, too. The rhythmic sound of crashing waves has been shown to promote relaxation and help calm the nervous system. Many people experience a reduction in stress and anxiety simply by sitting near the water and focusing on the sounds and sights around them.
Perk #5: Unplugging from the modern grind
The beach provides an opportunity to unplug from daily demands and encourages mindfulness. Watching the horizon, listening to the surf, and feeling the sand between your toes naturally draws attention to the present moment, helping quiet mental clutter and improve your mood.
Ultimately, I think our family beach vacation was a success. No big brotherly blowouts. No major sunburns. Plenty of time together splashing with my boys, building sand castles and messages made of kelp. A fair amount of beach football. Whether quietly reading a book, spending time with raucous loved ones, or simply watching the waves, time by the water can foster a sense of connection, perspective, and renewal. Sometimes the greatest benefit of the beach isn’t the tan you bring home—it’s the calm, clarity, and joy you carry with you long after you’ve left the shore. The memories are nice, too.
Linda Silbert contributed reporting to this post.
