Head to the beach for your mental health!

Going to the beach is a favorite summer activity for many people but not only is it a fun family vacation, it is good for your mental health! Did you know that you get your daily dose of Vitamin D in just ten minutes at the beach? And the beach is a sensory experience that puts you into a meditative state of mind. You LISTEN to the waves, you SMELL the salty air, you VISUALIZE the pattern of the continuous waves as they crash into the shore, and you TASTE thrasher's fries :)

The ocean has a calming effect on the nervous system and it boosts the serotonin level in your brain. You can get exercise by walking on the beach and you can find peace as you gaze into the sunset. Feeling the sand between your toes can be a grounding technique for those times when you feel out of touch with reality. Going to the beach can be a solitary activity for introspection or it can be a group activity for social connection.

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." Ralph Waldo Emerson