The beach is a favorite place for relaxing during summer, but now that the seasons have changed and the weather is starting to cool, you may be wondering if it's worth the trip if you don't plan to take a dip. Fortunately, a new study out of the Brown School at Washington University In St. Louis suggests that now is the perfect time!
"Mild temperature days and low tides offer the most restorative environments when visiting the beach," says J. Aaron Hipp, PhD, researcher, environmental health expert and assistant professor at the Brown School, in a recent press release. "Beachgoers visiting on a day nearly 3 degrees (oF) warmer than average were 30 percent less likely to perceive the beach or coastal park as restorative, compared to those visiting on average or cooler than average days," Hipp says.
"Studies have shown that natural environments like beaches and waterfront parks offer more restorative benefits to people than gyms, entertainment venues and the built urban environment," Hipp says. This news may help you to decide if you want to enjoy the outdoors (not only the beach, but nearby parks or hiking trails, if you don't live near water) or hit the gym for your daily dose of stress relief.
Exercise has clear benefits for stress management, so perhaps combining exercise with a beautiful outdoor location (while the weather permits) is the perfect combination of restorative relaxation and energizing activity.
Where will this fall take you?
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Source: Hipp, J. A.; Olandele, A. O. "Effect of Environmental Conditions on Perceived Psychological Restorativeness of Coastal Parks." Journal of Environmental Psychology 2011.
