Vacations are an amazing opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. It can be great to get away from all the stress of work and the daily hustle and bustle and just have a moment to yourself. Depending on where you go, a vacation can also be a great way to get in touch with nature and take care of your health. In fact, taking a vacation could save your life.
While there are many options when it comes to choosing the best vacation spots, a beach vacation provides an amazing experience, especially if you want to get away from the routines of everyday life. For example, if you live in California, an island off the coast of California can provide a perfect getaway spot for your family.
In this article, we will be looking at why a beach vacation is good for you and what to bring on a beach vacation.
Why a Beach Vacation Is a Great Idea for You
1. Get in Touch With Nature
A beach vacation allows you to share nature’s fresh air. The sea breeze, the water, and the sounds of birds chirping can have a calming effect on both the body and mind.
2. Lots of Fun Activities
Contrary to misconceptions that all there is to do at the beach is just lie down all day, being on the beach provides easy access to fun outdoor activities. You can pack some snacks and have a picnic under the shades. You can go skiing alone or with friends. A beach bonfire is another awesome way to have a lot of fun. You can play frisbee, take walks, see the dolphins, and look for seashells.
If you’re looking for peaceful and meditative ways to enjoy the water and sunlight, you can consider visiting the Channel islands in California and partaking in surfing and kayaking. These activities will help you build stamina, improve muscle strength and boost your cardiovascular fitness. The channel island boat parade is another fun activity to enjoy.
3. Get Some Vitamin D
When exposed to direct sunlight, our bodies produce vitamin D as a response. Vitamin D is great for strong, healthy bones and strong teeth. It also helps the body regulate calcium absorption. Vitamin D also helps to reduce the growth of cancer cells and helps the body fight infections. Being at the beach allows your skin to absorb plenty of vitamin D from the sunlight.
4. Family Bonding
If you’re considering a vacation that will provide your family with a great avenue to spend quality time together, a beach vacation is a great idea. You can have family picnics, play games, and have time to bond without the usual distractions.
5. Relaxation
A beach vacation takes you away from all the noise of the city. This allows you to truly relax. You can sit back with your favorite book, enjoying the sunshine and listening to the sound of the waves. You can also listen to your favorite music as you enjoy the sea breeze. Taking a stroll across the shore at sunset can be a beautiful and romantic experience.
What to Bring on a Beach Vacation
When it comes to packing for a beach vacation, go light. You want to be able to enjoy your time away without worrying about luggage. Another tip is to make sure to carry items that have reuse value, so you wouldn’t need to carry too much. Here are 9 ideas of what you should bring on a beach vacation.
1. Take Light and Breezy Clothing
One of the immense benefits of being on the beach is the chance to get fresh air on your skin. So your big shirts and faded jeans, while comfortable, will not work on a beach vacation. Apart from your swimsuits, take along comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that you can wear more than once and for multiple purposes.
For example, sundresses and flowy jumpsuits are great for lounging on the beach at the California channel islands and can also be worn to dinner. Athletic clothing is also a good option. They can be used as swimwear, for exercising and also for sleep.
2. Carry Your Sunscreen
Yes, vitamin D is great, and the sun feels good on your skin. However, you want to avoid getting sunburned. So sunscreen should be one of the first items you pack. You might also want to take along a cooling gel. Sometimes, we do not thoroughly apply our sunscreen, and sometimes, we even forget. It is wise to take along an antidote in case you find yourself with sunburn.
3. Hats and Sunglasses Are a Must
Hats and Sunglasses are necessary for protecting your head, eyes, and face from the sun. So make sure to have your favorite pair of sunglasses with you. For hats, you can go with straw hats or pick out something more fancy or sporty. They’ll protect your scalp from getting burned while you enjoy your time out. The floppy fisher-man hats are also a great option to cover your eyes.
4. Water Bottle
Outdoor activities, especially in the summer, leave us craving lots of water. Visiting the California channel islands provides you with a lot of fun outdoor activities that will keep you wanting to drink water. So do not forget to take along a water bottle filled with clean, fresh water. It will help you stay hydrated all through the day. Insulated water bottles keep your water cool for a long time. So opt for one and make sure they’re a good size, so you do not find yourself having to refill every hour.
5. Footwear
Beach shoes will protect your feet when you are on rocky parts of the beach. They are also great for exploring tide pools. For running around on the beach, flip-flops or sandals are great, as they are easy to put on and take off. So get a pair of each for when you engage in different activities.
6. Picnic Blanket
One of the best activities to do on a beach is to have a picnic. The California channel islands offer beautiful spots to have picnics while watching the sunset. Having a picnic blanket ensures that there’s room for everyone. It also helps to keep sand away from your food or snacks. Choose designs you can fold up easily and carry in your shoulder bag. Even if you’re not having a picnic, picnic blankets can be great for just lounging on the beach.
7. Waterproof Case
Nothing can make your mood go south faster than having to fish your phone or other valuables out of the water. If you’re going to be engaging in a lot of water-related activities, such as riding in a boat or a channel island kayaking, you should consider having a waterproof bag. This will keep your phone and other valuables dry.
8. Books
If you love to read, a beach vacation is a great time to catch up with your favorite books and authors. Books are great for when you aren’t feeling like engaging in any activities and just want to relax. They are also amazing bedtime companies. So remember to take one or two of your favorite titles and enjoy them while relaxing under the trees.
9. Reusable Bags
When planning for a beach vacation, our focus is usually on how to get there; we’re usually not focusing on how we will bring our items back home. Reusable bags are a handy option for packing dirty clothes and clothes that are still damp as we head back home. They are also useful for storing odds and ends.
Conclusion
The goal of a beach vacation is to relax and have fun. So while you’re packing, be sure that you have everything you need. You should consider leaving travel documents and expensive jewelry in the hotel when you head out to the beach. You do not want your vacation ruined by lost or damaged valuables.
If you’re going to be with a company, pack with them in mind. Take extra towels or walking shoes. Also, make sure that you have sufficient information about the beach you’re visiting. This helps you prepare and pack better.
