Benefits of Morning Walks
8 Amazing Benefits of Morning Walks
There is nothing more relaxing than a morning walk in one of the beaches of Phuket. The calm sea breeze, the sound of the crashing waves and the sunrise of the horizon makes your strolls much more enjoyable.
Thailand is truly blessed by nature considering the country has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Each year, millions of local and foreign tourists visit the magnificent Phuket beaches to experience its unique scenery and beach culture.
Nai Harn Beach is one of my all-time favourite beaches to visit because of its pristine waters and powdery beaches. There are tons of things you can do here aside from your usual beach activities. I love walking on its shores and coastline, especially in the morning.
This got me thinking about morning walks and some of the benefits we take for granted from this simple activity. In this article, I will share with you some of my thoughts on the benefits of morning walks on the beach.
Rewards of Morning Walks on the Beach You Won’t Get Elsewhere
As you know, Phuket is experiencing a surge of the fitness lifestyle. In just a few years, the number of gyms and fitness centres have risen dramatically. Some establishments have also taken advantage of Phuket’s beaches and integrated aquatic activities into their fitness programs.
The Muay Thai scene is also booming here more than ever. There are even instances that some Muay Thai fighters also run or stroll around the beach as part of their training. After all, sand is a good running surface because it develops muscles faster and is not as prone to cause injury as harder surfaces like concrete roads.
Below are the benefits of running or brisk walking on the beaches of Phuket and why you should add it to your itinerary once you visit this place:
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Breathing Fresh Air
Many modern cities have polluted air which makes the idea of morning walks less appealable. However, countryside beaches like those Phuket have cleaner air. The saltiness of the sea mixed with a refreshing gush of wind in the morning can easily uplift your mood. Morning walks by the sea is also a great stress reliever especially when the weather is good.
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Walking is Much Easier on the Beach
The powdery sand is much softer to the feet compared to road pavements. For this reason, your feet muscles and joints have to deal with less strain than what you would experience on the cityscape. The sand also acts as a natural cushion, hence even if you are wearing flip flops your feet won’t have to strike hard against the ground.
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Allows You to Cover More Distance
It is human nature to explore places that they are unfamiliar with. Hence, it won’t be surprising that as you stroll on the beaches of Phuket you may end up covering more distance than your regular walks. Furthermore, walking or running on sand requires twice the energy required on hard surfaces. However, the beautiful scenery is enough to distract you from your walk allowing you to perform more physical activity which your body needs.
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Builds Your Cardio
Regular morning runs also build your cardio which helps you to feel less fatigued and gets you to perform physical activities longer. Good cardio is one of the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle and is necessary for any sports or workout. Needless to say, if you want to live an active lifestyle you need more stamina and cardio is one of its main components. You can start doing this on your vacation and simply maintain the routine it as you move back to your city of residence.
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Get Your Dose of Vitamin D
Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D aside from dairy products such as cheese and milk. Vitamin D is responsible for a lot of things such as bone growth, immune function, and inflammation reduction just to name a few. The cool breeze coming from the ocean will also allow you to stay in the sun a bit longer.
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It Keeps You Grounded
Morning walks on the beach is quite calming to your being. There is something unique about the sunrise as it peaks on the horizon. It’s a metaphor about life and all of the lessons it brings throughout the day. You can even say it’s one of those few moments that we can feel grounded and just appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. For the complete experience, you may also want to try walking on the beach barefoot.
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Burns a Significant Amount of Calories
While it’s not as intense as your gym workout, walking, especially on the beach burns away a significant amount of calories. Some studies show that you burn 20% to 50% more calories walking on sand than any other hard surfaces found on the city. This, of course, can help you lose or maintain weight especially if you have been eating or drinking a lot during your vacation.
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Exfoliate your Feet for Free
Foot spas can be quite expensive especially on this side of Thailand. However, you don’t have to spend a dime to revive your feet. Wet sand is natural exfoliant which can help peel dead skin from your body. Walking or running near the shore where the water touches the sand can exfoliate your feet for free.
Reasons Why I Love Nai Harn Beach
The first time I was at Nai Harn Beach, I immediately fell in love with the place. The long coastal beach is perfect for strolling. The waters are also clear and the sand is very fine and powdery. The ambience and the vibe of the place are relaxing and exhilarating at the same time depending on what you are doing.
The island also has a wide selection of hotels and restaurants you can go to. You have all sorts of options on where to stay and what to eat based on your budget and personal preference. Overall, Nai Harn Beach is simply stunning and the people are also quite welcoming on this side of Phuket.
If you ever get the chance to visit this island paradise, I advise you to walk around its premier coastline and immerse yourself in this place.
Cheers to a wonderful morning.
