When you’re on the beach, it’s time to relax. Even in today’s busy, networked world, it’s possible to unwind and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the waves. What better way to recharge yourself than lying on the sand under the radiant rays of the mellow yellow sun?

Not everyone can just go to the beach and unwind, you know. There’s almost an art to it, and we’re going to teach you how to relax on the beach.

Love Your Gear

You cannot possibly enjoy your time at the beach if you don’t like your clothing. For most people, that involves a bathing suit, or at the very least some semblance of shorts and summery shirt that bares a large portion of your skin.

If you don’t feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, you won’t be able to relax.

Your first job will be to go on that much-dreaded shopping expedition before your trip to the beach to pick out the coolest duds for the hottest fun. If you don’t like the way you look in a swimsuit, buy a cover up to wear over it. Even a slinky pashmina can be just the accessory you need to turn your swimsuit into something marvellous. A floppy hat will finish off your look.

If you’re a guy worrying about your abs—or the lack of them—then a casual shirt patterned with flowers or sharks, trees or sailboats, will do the trick. Wear it open over your swimming trunks or shorts for a great look. If you know you look cool in every sense of the word, then you will be able to relax and have fun.

Love the Sun—But Protect Yourself

No beach expedition can begin unless you’ve armed yourself with a sunscreen with a sun protection factor—SPF—of 15. The American Melanoma Foundation says that sunscreen of SPF 15 protects you from 93 per cent of the sun’s rays. A product rated SPF 34 will protect you from 97 per cent. You need to apply it if you expect to be outdoors for 20 minutes or more, and don’t forget to reapply it every two to three hours, depending on how easily you tan.

There is sunscreen and then there is sunblock. Sunblock creates a barrier totally blocking the sun; it generally wields an SPF of 30 or greater, and its main ingredient is something gooey like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that leaves messy white streaks when you apply it.

Sunscreen provides less protection, but people are more willing to use it because the skin’s absorption of it makes it a more glamorous product.  No matter which one you choose, look for one that’s water-resistant or waterproof. Water resistant products will remain on your skin for 40 minutes after you plunge into the cool waters; water proof products last about 80 minutes.

Have Water Will Travel

When you park your hindquarters on the beach, your journey has just begun. You are on an adventure into a wonderful time at the beach, and in order to enjoy the ride you’ve got to keep yourself well hydrated. Be certain to carry bottled water or sports drinks with you if you’re at a beach that doesn’t boast a refreshment kiosk.  A snack or two won’t hurt, either. Tip: Don’t give the seagulls Doritos; they’ll become addicted.

Cloud Power

How can you ensure an atmosphere of total relaxation in today’s world when we are all expected to be available immediately via some kind of personal electronic device? If you haven’t tried cloud storage yet, now’s the time. Upload your current reports onto software that you can access from your mobile device.

If neither you nor your company has tried such software, then use Google’s document storage at drive.google.com. 

Once you’re on the Google Drive page, click on the upward-pointing arrow next to the Create tab, on the left-hand side of the page.

That way, if someone from work calls you about a problem, you can take a look at the project file without leaving your beachside outpost.

Meditate

People pay money for CDs with beach sounds when they want to relax at home. There you are in the midst of Mother Nature’s finest spa, and you don’t know how to relax? Listen to the rhythm of the waves. Hear them crash onto the shore. Feel the breeze against your face and as it ruffles your hair. Let the sun rays gently warm your skin. Close your eyes, lean back a bit, and do some deep breathing.

•    Inhale slowly and deeply as you count to 7.
•    Hold your breath while you count to 5.
•    Release your breath slowly through your mouth, again counting to at least 5.

Whether you are worried about your job, your bills, or your mother-in-law—or something even worse, though it’s difficult to imagine what that could be—you can enter into a meditative state that takes full advantage of your surroundings. Have fun, and don’t forget to bring home some seashells.