Life’s A Beach: Staying Happy and Healthy At The Beach

We might be in the middle of winter, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t all pining for the warmer months to roll around. And good news! There isn’t that long to wait. We seem to be over the worst of the cold weather, for now, so we have a lot to look forward to. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And that light is coming in the shape of the sun.

There are fewer things that define the summer months quite like day trips to the beach with the rest of your family. There’s some element of escapism that can’t easily be topped. Once you feel your toes in the sand, you can almost feel all of your anxieties melt away. But that doesn’t mean that you can totally relax at the beach. There are still a few preventative safety measures to make sure you and your family stay healthy. Here’s what you need to know.

Check the Weather

Just because it’s the summer doesn’t mean that the weather is suddenly going to become predictable! Yes, even in the summer, we still bear the brunt of the rain sometimes. In particularly harsh conditions, going swimming can become very dangerous. Even a seasoned swimmer should maybe postpone their visit if the weather forecast isn’t looking too endearing.

Protect Your Skin

Your skin can take a hell of a beating from a day at the beach. You know that stinging rash that you get after spending too long in the salty water? Yeah, it’s not very comfortable. You could look at picking up some men’s rashguards in order to combat this. It’s also extremely important that you get adequate protection from the sun. Skin disease is very common from sun damage, so stock up on the factor fifty.

Stay Hydrated

With the warm weather, you’re going to produce a lot of sweat. That’s going to make it infinitely easier to become dehydrated. And worst of all, you may not even know it’s happening until it’s too late. Keep a large bottle of water on standby and take regular sips. You should also avoid alcohol where possible. Not only is that going to contribute to dehydration, but swimming when drunk is extremely dangerous. Make sure to wear a hat, too, so that you avoid the dreaded sunstroke.

Watch Out For Wildlife

It’s something that doesn’t often get mentioned. But, unless you’re one of the few people on earth that hasn’t seen Jaws, you know the threat is very real. If you live somewhere that has a history of shark activity, make sure you know how to spot warning signs. Stay vigilant. Make sure you swim near to the lifeguard’s line of sight. You might also do your best to avoid jellyfish stings. They hurt a lot more than you could ever imagine.

Taking the necessary precautions will allow you and your family to kick back, relax, and soak up some rays without fear of injury or illness. Have fun!

photo credit: Beach View from Room in Hollywood Beach Marriot via photopin (license)