Home | travel | 10 Things To Do To Avoid Ruining A Beach Vacation

10 things to do to avoid ruining a beach vacation

10 things to do to avoid ruining a beach vacation

About to head out for an exciting beach vacation? The joy of lying in the sand or heading for a swim in the cool water is unmatched! However, in the days of planning and anticipation, many people often forget to take care of some of the basics, which could dampen the fun within no time. Here’s a compiled list of ten ways to avoid ruining a fun beach vacay to ensure a leisure-filled getaway from the humdrum of daily life.

Stay hydrated
On warm sunny days, heading to the beach sounds like an absolute delight. If one plans to head to the sea/ocean for a swim, play beach volleyball, or even just lounge in the sand, there’s always a risk of getting sweaty because of the humidity. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling off. However, this may lead to dehydration, making one feel tired. It could also increase one’s risk of a heat stroke.

Sipping on water or fluids and staying hydrated is important for a great day out at the beach. While adequate water consumption depends on one’s age, activity levels, and the local weather conditions, people must focus on drinking at least 2-3 liters of water daily.

Use skin protection
When stepping into the sun, one must take all necessary precautions to avoid sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Follow these guidelines set by the American Association of Dermatologists when choosing a sunscreen:

  • Pick a sun-blocking sunscreen with at least SPF 30
  • Use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays
  • Pick a water-resistant sunscreen

Apply about an ounce of sunscreen from head to toe and massage it thoroughly before stepping out into the sun. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours to get adequate protection from the sun. Additionally, to enhance skin safety, bring a beach umbrella and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt.

Learn the beach flag colors
At lifeguarded beaches, one can often spot several flags. Although they may slightly differ from locality to locality, here is what they generally mean:

  • Double red flag – Water closed, no public swimming
  • Red flag – High hazard of surf and/or currents
  • Yellow flag – Medium hazard of surf and/or currents
  • Purple flag – Dangerous marine life such as jellyfish, stingrays, etc.
  • Green flag – Calm conditions, safe to swim/surf
  • Black and white checkered flag – Generally set up to keep the surfers and swimmers apart in the water

Read the local weather forecast
Don’t let unpredictable weather ruin the beach experience. Being aware of the local weather conditions can also help one ensure a fun-filled trip. When heading for a swim in larger water bodies, it is also important to remain cognizant of tides, undercurrents, water depths, potential obstacles, lightning, thunderstorms, and Tsunami warnings. Check the expected weather conditions beforehand, or look for warning flags posted around lifeguard stations. Planning can help one avoid any disasters or mishaps on their beach vacation.

Watch out for marine life
It is common to bump into wildlife when going for a dip in the sea or the ocean. Jellyfish and stingray injuries are relatively common at beaches. These tend to require immediate medical intervention. Before jumping into the water, it is advisable to speak to a lifeguard about marine life to watch out for or look for a purple flag that may indicate the same. Exercise caution in the water as well, and avoid venturing too deep.

Carry first aid
Getting nicks and cuts are inevitable in daily life. On beaches, walking on shells or playing rough in the sand could lead to minor injuries. However, when heading to the beach, one needs to ensure proper first aid for these wounds. Carry a basic first aid kit to clean and keep the injured area covered. Leaving the wound exposed to sand or water could increase the risk of bacterial infections.

Practice basic safety precautions
Beach vacations are meant to be relaxing. It is a time for everyone to kick back and enjoy the waves. Being too lax about safety and security, however, could be dangerous. At the beach, it is important to be situationally aware and practice some basic safety precautions, such as:

  • Keep the valuables in a secure space, out of public view.
  • Do not wear flashy jewelry or carry wads of cash. This could attract the attention of miscreants and thieves.
  • Do not share information about one’s hotel or residence, as this could be dangerous.
  • Try to head out in a group.

Check for crowd levels
During the tourist season, activities around the beach, such as restaurants, arcades, go-karting, etc., can be extremely crowded, leading to long waiting lines. This can be troublesome to deal with, especially on a vacation. Planning this part of one’s vacation may help one skip these crowds. When possible, make reservations or head out for an early dinner. When visiting tourist attractions, get a headstart on others by starting bright and early.

Research the rental property or hotel in advance
When booking one’s stay, it is important to plan and research. Check out hotel reviews and vacationer ratings to create a realistic expectation. If the goal is to have a beach vacation, check the distance from the hotel to the beach – this could help save travel hours.

Eat well
Many people tend to get caught up in the thrill of vacationing and overlook the importance of taking care of their bodies. Moreover, neglecting nutrition during this time can seriously affect overall health and well-being. One must pay attention to one’s daily activities and how these might impact one’s food requirements. For instance, those engaging in strenuous exercise such as swimming or volleyball will likely feel more tired and hungrier than usual. Caloric needs can vary significantly from person to person. As a general rule of thumb, it is advisable to eat a full meal (consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) at least 2 hours before engaging in physical activity.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Foods to Avoid to Manage Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic Esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic digestive disease of the esophagus caused by an allergic condition. It is characterized by chest pain, heartburn, and solid food dysphagia. If this disorder is left untreated, it can cause esophageal remodeling and stricture formation. This disorder is also marked by eosinophilic inflammation and impacts the quality of life of the affected person. You can check out various reliable health websites to get information on eosinophilic esophagitis. A patient with EoE must be very careful with his health and meal plans, as research suggests that EoE is linked to food allergies. Therefore, the six most common food items that are responsible for such allergies include: Dairy Cow milk is said to be one of the most common reasons for EoE. Milk protein can trigger too many eosinophils. You should avoid food items made up of milk, buttermilk, lactose, and other related dairy products. You can replace dairy products with coconut hemp, dairy-free yogurts, cashew ice cream, etc. Soy Soy-based food items include tofu, soy butter, soymilk, and miso. Soy cheese, soy nuts, soy milk, etc., should be avoided and can be substituted with refined soybean oil or coconut aminos. Wheat You might think wheat is only found in bread, cereal, or baked goods.
Read More
5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

5 Common Digestive Issues and Their Symptoms

One of the most vital systems in our body is the digestive system. It is responsible for the digestion of food and the distribution of nutrients throughout the body to meet the bodily requirements for energy, development, and cell repair. Issues in the digestive can interfere with the body’s ability to get energy from food. While some gastrointestinal issues can go away with healthy eating habits, other concerns may require treatment.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) IBS is a functional bowel disorder. This means the cluster of varied symptoms categorized as IBS is brought on by changes in the normal functioning of the digestive system. The primary sign is abdominal pain, which can develop before or after a bowel movement, and is a reliable indicator of IBS. Additionally, one may experience both constipation and diarrhea. The form of IBS can be determined depending on whether a person has diarrhea or constipation more frequently or both equally. Other IBS signs and symptoms are incomplete bowel motions, white mucus in the stool, and bloating. Nutrition is important for managing the symptoms of IBS, which includes eating low-fat, high-fiber meals and avoiding common trigger foods when the cause of the condition is unknown. Food poisoning or gastrointestinal infection are common causes.
Read More
8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

8 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Most of us make it a goal to keep our house clean and tidy. Cleaning the house may look like a straightforward task, but there are certain aspects that are generally overlooked. Cleaning is a time consuming and tedious activity. And most of us make common cleaning mistakes that do not provide us with the results we expect. So here is a list of cleaning mistakes to avoid for better results and a sparkling clean home. Mixing cleaning chemicals You may think mixing two or more cleaning products will increase the cleaning power. However, this can be very dangerous as it might release toxic fumes. For example, household cleaners like Clorox Pinesol should never be mixed with bleach as they can react together to produce hazardous chlorine gas or even chloroform. Similarly, Pinesol disinfectant should not be mixed with room spray sanitizer as the chemicals could react together to unleash a toxic cloud of gases that can trigger respiratory problems and even cause skin burns. Instead of mixing chemicals, use a single cleaning agent or solution and stick to a reliable brand. Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of a cleaning company, like Servpro Services, which offers a range of affordable home cleaning services. Using feather dusters A feather duster may seem very useful, but all it does is spread the dust from one surface to another.
Read More
11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

11 Potential Warning Signs of Excess Sugar Intake

Processed foods like cakes, cookies, candies, and breakfast cereals contain added sugar, and most people find them delicious and irresistible. However, they have little nutritional value. Eating too many sweets can increase the risk of several health issues. For instance, it can lead to blood sugar spikes and heart disease. When a person eats too much sugar regularly, the body begins to give signs that it is time to cut back on sweet foods. High blood pressure Besides monitoring salt intake, people suffering from high blood pressure should watch their sugar intake because eating too much sugar is also linked to high blood pressure. According to a study, foods high in sugar can reduce nitric oxide in the blood vessels, which can, in turn, impact blood flow and lead to high blood pressure. Mood swings or irritability Feeling moody, irritable, or depressed on and off is a common sign of high sugar intake. Mood swings occur as foods high in sugar affect the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood. Sugary foods also negatively impact gut function, another factor linked to a person’s mood. Low energy or tiredness Binging on sugary snacks wreaks havoc on one’s blood sugar levels. It first causes blood glucose to rise, providing a boost of energy.
Read More