As spring rolls around and the UV levels climb, abandoning school work for a day at the beach seems tempting, but overall a bad idea. However, this isn’t always the case. While you shouldn’t throw your work to the wind, taking occasional breaks is essential. What better way than with the ocean?
The beach offers a variety of benefits that help calm a racing mind and ease the emotional weight of the relentless schoolwork that comes with the quarter system. Usually, each class is fast-paced and nonstop from the first day until the final, which can leave a student feeling overwhelmed. The ocean offers a welcome escape from the busyness of it all. Living in Isla Vista, we have the amazing privilege of having access to a multitude of waves to swim in and beaches to soak up the sun.
The science behind it
The science behind the ocean’s stress-relieving powers is well-documented. Spending time in nature lowers cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. Additionally, the sound of the ocean and the sun on your skin raises serotonin, a mood boosting hormone. Vitamin D, absorbed through sun exposure, is proven to counteract negative emotions.
As the days get sunnier and jackets become optional, it’s crucial to capitalize on the stress-relieving properties of the sun. Studies even show that people who spend more time at the beach are better at problem-solving—so if you’re repeatedly stuck with the same predicament, going to the beach could result in important solutions and breakthroughs.
Getting active: Our Body’s Natural Stress Reliever
Physical activity is proven to reduce anxiety and depression while improving both mental health and cognitive function. Incorporating it into time with the ocean can be a gold mine for stress relief. There are a multitude of ways to move your body at the beach.
A classic is surfing, a skill that can take some time to learn. Once you do, it can be rewarding for the rest of your life. I know paddling out makes me feel like all my problems are on hold, especially because it is just you, your board, and the vast extent of the sea.
There isn’t a phone to scroll or texts that need responding to or a computer to cram in a little more studying. Along the same lines, swimming and bodysurfing are excellent ways to connect with the ocean — although braving the cold is not for everyone.
Though cold plunges are beneficial for the nervous system and the mind, you don’t always need to immerse yourself in the sometimes-frigid waters of Santa Barbara to reap the benefits of the connection of exercise and sea.
I find that the scenic expanse of salt water stretching out to Santa Cruz island clears my head, even if enjoyed from the bluffs. Particularly, the trail that lines Isla Vista to Devereux Beach and loops to Sands Beach is worth making a routine of. Whether you walk or jog, getting steps in is a massive stress reliever.
For those who love playing games and sports, the sand and sun at the beach can be the perfect venue. Spikeball, my personal favorite, has me giving the ball and the net my absolute all. With dives that leave me covered in sand, the endorphins make my problems seem like they are a world away.
Beach volleyball, a Santa Barbara staple, is another great sport to relieve stress, requiring nothing more than the ball. From frisbee to paddleball, the beach becomes a place where the combination of sun, sand, and sports not only helps release tension but also creates lasting memories.
Getting Creative: Benefits of Crafting at the Beach
Because creating is shown to improve overall well-being, intertwining it with the benefits of the setting can be massively beneficial for mental health. I love bringing blank paper, a set of watercolors, brushes, and a container in my beach bag. The next step is to collect the ocean water to paint with, which is both relaxing and rewarding.
There’s an abundance of inspiration in addition to an outlet to put feelings on paper. However, if you don’t consider yourself the artistic type, a simple coloring book could be a great solution.
Transporting back to the friendship bracelet trend of the summer of 2019, the rhythm and repetition of weaving embroidery thread into complex knots is therapeutic. Tie the strings to the lid of your favorite water bottle and just let your worries be strung into the knots.
Beach combing is another personal favorite, and when your eyes are actively scanning the sand for little shells and sea glass, it’s easy to feel like your worries are drifting away. This is especially true when paired with feel-good music in your headphones. To combine activities, shells can be woven into the friendship bracelets, giving them a more eclectic, beachy style.
Along the same line, stacking rock towers or crafting sand castles require no extra materials and can be peaceful and rejuvenating. Some might dismiss these activities as childish, but that is part of what makes them so stress-relieving. People who participate in more creative activities on average tend to possess higher levels of happiness—even if they report a very low level of skill in the activity.
Creating a Routine and Finding Community
It is worthwhile to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings as much as possible. Although it’s crucial to recognize which days are best spent locked in the quiet floors of the library, many students underestimate the power of knowing when to take a break.
Incorporating time spent at the beach into a weekly routine, however sparingly, can be essential for taking a bit of the burden off stress-laden shoulders. It is helpful to create rituals like sunset walks or assign specific time slots for the beach in between classes to build healthy habits.
One factor that made this school my dream school was the community built around ocean-loving culture. While it is not for everyone, ocean-lovers are easy to find. From beach bonfires to the flocking to Devs at sunset, beach culture has been ingrained into UCSB customs for decades, and for good reason.
Isla Vista’s beach lifestyle offers an excellent way to connect with others and de-stress in a relaxed setting. The ocean is a blessing but also a tool: it offers a natural refuge for stress relief, providing both the solitude needed to reset and the communal space to unwind with others.