The Best Water Activities in Destin are Good for Your Health

Earlier this year, Southern Living ranked Destin #2 in the The South’s Best Beach Towns 2019. Home to beaches covered in sugar-white sand nestled along sparkling emerald seas, it’s no surprise that Destin is fast-becoming the go-to place for vacationers looking to enjoy a luxurious break away by the sea. But it’s the mesmerizing blue Gulf of Mexico where the magic really happens. Not only is it stunning to look at, but it offers some great vacation experiences and health benefits that will keep you looking and feeling great.

Swimming in Destin

While in Destin, you’ll be impressed with stunning beaches and emerald green water which is great for swimming. Henderson Beach State Park is one of many public beaches to access the glorious saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. During the winter and spring months when water temperatures are cooler, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico will provide you with added health benefits, including reducing stress. Cold water helps individuals to deal better with stress. Fifty five percent of Americans told a recent Gallup survey that they experienced stress during 2018. Thankfully, cold water swimming in Destin can alleviate this stress and have a long-term impact. One study showed that spending short periods in cold water can reduce the body’s response to stressors away from the water. Dr. Mark Harper compares the sensation to “a bit like the controlled exposure used for allergies”. As such, if you know that you’re prone to stressful situations back home, make sure you spend plenty of your time swimming along Destin’s beaches. 

Sailing Adventures in Destin

Destin provides visitors with plenty of opportunities to take to the water, and one of the most popular is to go by boat. Sailing the waters around Destin it is common to spot the area’s beautiful and graceful dolphins. You don’t have to sit back and watch someone else have all the fun. Many sailing expeditions in the area offer sailing classes too. Regardless of whether you take to the water yourself or with a skipper taking the lead, you’ll need to stay safe on the water. This means keeping your life jacket on at all times, following the skipper’s instructions, and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency. From there, you’ll reap multiple health benefits, including cognitive ones. One study found that sailing was able to significantly improve the quality of life in people with mental health disorders. Sailing can also be a great mood lifter as the sea air in Destin is packed full of healthy negative ions which help to balance out serotonin in the body - the chemical associated with happiness and improved mood.

Snorkeling with local marine life in Destin

Snorkeling in Destin is an experience like no other. Not only do local snorkeling expedition companies make provisions for all ages, but you’ll be able to get up close and personal to a range of sea creatures, including dolphins, hermit crabs, sea turtles, puffer fish, flounder, and redfish. Research published in the Environment and Behavior journal found that watching marine life while snorkeling reduced the heart rates and blood pressure of the snorkelers. They also concluded that the more fish that were in the water, the happier the snorkelers become. 

With so many types of fish typically found in Destin’s waters, snorkeling is a great way to instantly lift your mood and benefit your health. When contacted about the mental health benefits that snorkeling provides, Destin Snorkel advised that “We think benefits are similar or better than hiking or biking outside in nature because of the quiet while you are immersed in water. The ability to see sea life in its natural habitat is always better than looking at an aquarium and there have been many studies about the relaxation benefits of looking at aquariums.”

If you’re into fitness and want to work on your cardiovascular and muscular health during your trip to Destin then snorkeling is the ideal watersport since it uses all the muscles in your body. As you push through the water and work against the resistance, your heart rate will increase and your muscles will strengthen. Not only that, but as you adapt a new technique of breathing underwater, your lung capacity grows too, meaning oxygen travels around your body faster. Despite Destin being home to various tempting bars and restaurants selling delicious local food, you might even lose weight during your visit as, according to Calorie Lab, the average 68 kg person will burn 272 calories while snorkeling.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Destin

Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) is another thrilling and adventurous water activity to get involved in during your time in Destin. Along with being a great cardiovascular activity, it can also enhance your core. Core strength is crucial for a number of reasons, including to protect your body from injuries, to shield your organs, and for strength. Physiotherapist Martha Purdy states that “It really is about working from the inside out.” As such, there’s no better way to start work on your core than by hitting Destin’s waters in a paddle boat. Stand up paddle boarding is all about the core and really challenges your core muscles as you fight to stay upright and maneuver the paddle from side to side. Even sit down paddle boarding pushes the core muscles to the max, so there’s no excuse not to give it a try while you’re in Destin. You’ll even benefit mentally, according to Destin Beach Service, who, when contacted, advised that “The mental benefits are it clears your mind of work and many other responsibilities, it makes you focus on your surroundings and lets most experience nature at its finest.”

Destin is home to some fabulous beaches, which provide plenty of opportunities for visitors to the area to get in and on the water while enjoying the many benefits.

This blog was contributed by Amy Fletcher.

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See you @ the beach!