You’ve just returned from a day at the beach, and you’re exhausted. Even if all you did was lay in the sun, enjoy the weather, and walk to the water a few times with your family and friends. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! So many people feel tired after they come home from the beach but have no idea why. It can be confusing, but fortunately, there is an answer as to why we get so tired after we spend the day outside in the sun at the beach.
We’ll discuss why you might feel tired after a day at the beach, including how the effort of walking on the sand, swimming, and even the exposure to the sun can make you feel a little more fatigued than usual. If you’re eager to get to the bottom of that stubborn post-beach day fatigue, read on! Let’s explore the impact of physical activity and water resistance and how it makes us tired.
Physical Activity and Water Resistance Can Tire Us Out
One of the first reasons you might be tired after a day at the beach is because the physical activity and the water resistance can tire you out. Even if you only walked to your spot in the sand, walking on the sand can be more tiring because you’re using all of your feet and ankle muscles, which can help you get stronger and improve your joint function (Source: PubMed). If you had to walk for a while to your chosen spot, just imagine how tired your muscles are!
When you add on the water resistance, you’ll feel fatigued when you’re swimming, and this can lead to fatigue at the end of a long day at the beach. Swimming out in the open water exposes you to increased water resistance due to the tides, currents, and even rip currents if you are in an area where this is common. Swimming in seawater can lead to less lactate production, which can make you more sore, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be tired after both swimming and moving through the currents to stay safe out at the beach (Source: PubMed).
However, it doesn’t come without benefits! While you’re sitting at home tired after spending time along the coast, you’ll be reaping the benefits of a hard workout and a boost in your heart rate, which can lead to more energy used. Thus, it all makes sense why your muscles might be calling for a time out to rest and recover after an active day at the beach. But what about those who sat on their towels and enjoyed the sun and not the surf?
Sun Exposure and Heat Can Make Us Feel Exhausted
Believe it or not, you don’t have to go surfing, swimming, or snorkeling to have an excuse to feel tired after spending time at the beach. Studies show that sun exposure at the beach or even during periods of leisure can lead to fatigue (Source: PubMed). What’s even more interesting is that there is an association with decreased brain or cognitive performance following your time at the beach, even up to four days after returning from the beach.
Now, in some cases, you might have sweat a lot, and the exhaustion you feel can be attributed to a loss of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, all of which can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and lethargy, even days after the event. To fix this, all you need to do is hydrate and replenish those electrolytes so that you can combat the side effects of too much sun and lost nutrients.
Unfortunately, some of the fatigue you could be facing as a result of a day at the beach is due to sunburn and skin damage. If you have not worn proper sun protection, you could be experiencing the side effects of being out in the sun too long. Your body’s response to skin damage and intense UV can lead to you feeling more tired as your body works to recover.
Now, in situations where you get adequate sun exposure, you’re more likely to feel energized and even less depressed (Source: PubMed). However, if you’ve been out for hours on end with no sun protection, you might likely have overdone it on the sunshine!
You May Have Even Become Dehydrated or Ate Differently That Day
One of the most common but unexpected reasons you might be tired from the beach is actually dehydration and nutrient deficiencies caused by different eating and hydrating patterns. When you’re at the beach, you’re more likely to have inconsistent eating patterns.
If you’ve ever brought chips, snacks, and even drinks to the beach, you’ve most likely experienced fatigue due to irregular meal times or improper meals. Being out in the sun, you can underestimate how hungry you are, especially if you’re having fun. Or you might have even avoided eating to avoid getting sand in your sandwich!
Another thing to consider is your hydration levels. If you’re at the beach, you might not consider how much you need to drink, or you may fail to recognize your body’s symptoms of dehydration. We need water, as women have a total body water content of 56% and men 59%, respectively (Source: PubMed).
When you’re out in the heat or at the beach, it’s usually best to have a little bit more water than you think. You might underestimate how hydrated you need to be, but for every bit you sweat, you need to drink that much more to replenish yourself.
What Will You Do to Reduce Beach Day Fatigue in the Future?
As long as you’re aware of how tired you feel and what might cause your beach day fatigue, you can prevent it in the future. We hope that this article taught you something new and helped you understand the cause of your post-beach day exhaustion. With breaks, proper hydration, and sun protection, you can enjoy a day at the beach without getting too tired for all that you have planned later on.