What You Need for a Relaxing Beach Visit

It can be quite relaxing to lounge on the beach, or to take a stroll through the edge of the surf. Regardless of the weather, beaches attract visitors every day because of this-many people even enjoy walking through the sand in the rain or when it is cold outside. There is just something special about spending time at a beach that gives people an inner tranquility.

But, that inner tranquility can quickly turn to outward disappointment if you don't plan carefully for your beach visit. If you fail to bring along the necessary beach gear, your day at the beach won't be one of relaxation and enjoyment. Now, you don't need to burden yourself with lugging around everything under the sun-just put these few items in a tote and you'll be set:

Beach towel: Even if you are just heading to the beach for a walk, take a towel along-once you get there, you may decide you want to sit for awhile. Or, you may need the towel if you get a little wet from the surf.

Sunscreen: Make sure you put some sunscreen on before you head to the beach, of course, but it is a good idea to bring some with you in case you end up being at the beach for long enough that you would need to reapply the sunscreen.

Water: I don't know about you, but being around all that ocean water somehow makes me thirsty. You can fill a reusable sports bottle with a couple of inches of water and freeze it the night before your beach visit; then, the morning of your visit, fill the bottle up with water. This will help to keep your water cold for several hours.

Sunglasses: It is important to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays from the sun, and the best way to do this is to wear sunglasses that are rated for this protection. Look for a sticker or tag on any sunglasses you are considering purchasing to see if they meet this standard.

Those are really the only main items you need to bring to the beach-those will serve you well whether you plan to lounge for an hour or so, if you want to walk through the surf, or if you are going to hunt for seashells. And because you do not need to carry too many belongings, you can use just about any tote or backpack that you already have-no need to purchase a special bag just for the beach.

But what if you would like to bring along an MP3 player? Many people like to use these when they are relaxing, so of course it could add some enjoyment to your beach visit-if you are careful. Sand and water could be the death of your MP3 player, so you must make sure that you have a good protective case before taking your player to the beach. Here are two options for various types of MP3 players:

Waterproof Universal MP3 Player Case From Aquapac $39.95

http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/mp3case.html

This case is not only waterproof-it is actually submersible to 15 feet! It has a unique closure that seals the case. There is also a clear front panel that allows access to the MP3 player screen. An external headphone jack keeps the case sealed at the top. The case comes with a neck lanyard and carabiner clip. This Aquapac case will fit most Ipod models, as well as a few Sony, Rio, and iRiver models (the website lists which models will fit).

Waterproof MP3 Player Case $19.95

http://www.familyonboard.com/waterproofmp3.html

This is a larger case that will likely fit most any MP3 player. It has a watertight audio jack and it seals with a special three-roll closure. The back is padded with foam and the front has a clear window so that you can access your MP3 player screen. This case has a clip you can use to attach it to your bag or your belt.

Now you may be thinking that I have forgotten to mention something you should bring to the beach-after all, I haven't pointed out the necessity of a cell phone, have I? There's a reason for that-I do not think a cell phone is a necessity for a beach visit. In fact, I think you should not bring your cell phone along. Why? Well, spending time at the beach is supposed to be soothing and rejuvenating. Lounging on the beach or taking a walk in the sand is a great way to unwind and relieve stress-and you are not going to accomplish any of that if you are chatting away on the phone. Certainly you want the phone to be accessible, but you don't need to have it within arm's reach at every moment-leave it in the car.

Enjoy your visit to the beach. Take a break, let the calmness of the waves ease your worries, and just relax.