New Years Resolutions That Are Easier to Keep at the Beach

*Updated November 2020

We’re approaching that time of year again. As this year wraps up and the new one is about to begin, it’s time to look ahead and think about the life changes we aspire to make in the near future. Did you know that many of the most common New Year’s resolutions are easier to keep when you’re at the beach? They are!

Why not stack the odds in your favor and think about spending as much time at the beach this year as you can possibly manage. The sun, sand and saltwater are all good for your body, mind and spirit. And since you’re probably looking to make a few of these life changes anyway, you might as well achieve them in a beautiful place that guarantees to increase your chances of success just by being in the right environment.

Here are popular New Year’s resolutions that are so much easier to keep when you’re at the beach. Start your New Year off right with an Indian Rocks Beach, Florida vacation and make these goals your happy reality. Wishing you a year full of health and happiness!

Woman reading and relaxing on the beach | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Rentals

To Be More Relaxed

There’s something about being at the beach that is relaxing. But did you know that just being near water can make you calmer and more creative? Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, believes that we all have a “blue mind” as he puts it, “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment” that’s triggered when we’re in or near water. “We are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what’s broken,” Nichols writes in his latest book on this very subject. And then there are the soothing coastal breezes on the beach, the inhaling and exhaling of the salty air, the lull of the tides, and the swaying of the happy palm trees. It just makes sense that being at the beach is an instant stress reliever and the perfect environment for relaxation.

To Be Outside More

Many people find themselves longing to get away from their desks and computers and escape outside into the great outdoors. Many of us find ourselves less motivated to do that when it’s freezing cold outside or there’s two feet of snow on the ground. This is not a problem at the beach. In fact, the natural beauty that surrounds you on a daily basis is a wonderful motivator to get outdoors and enjoy it! Whether you’re catching a coastal sunset, unwinding after a long day with a walk, hopping on your bike for a quick pedal through town, or exploring a new trail, you’ve got plenty of reasons to be outside when you are in a beach town. Indian Rocks Beach has plenty of ways for you to enjoy the outdoors all year long. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor adventures.

To Be More Physically Fit

Fitness and health resolutions top the charts when it comes to making change in the New Year. We all find it is so much easier to stick to these life-changing goals when you live in a place that supports an active lifestyle all year long. The weather is warm and inviting—and the options for exercise are endless when you’re at the beach. From everyday strolls on the sand and running on the beach to new on-the-water adventures like parasailing and paddleboarding, you’re sure to succeed in getting that heart rate up and making exercise part of your everyday lifestyle. Being physically fit is just easier when you have the beach nearby. It’s as simple as that.

Couple jogging on the beach at sunset | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Rentals

To Be More Rested

Ah, rest. A sweet yet sometimes elusive part of living in a busy world that seems to never really sleep. If you struggle with feeling well rested or getting enough good sleep, you’re not alone. It seems to be a common problem in our country, but one that can be overcome. Being mindful of what’s keeping you from getting good sleep is the first step. From there, it’s a matter of changing your habits and making sure that you’re setting the stage for rest and making enough time for it. Being well rested also comes from having enough life balance that you’re body is physically tired, too—not just your mind. Being physically active on a daily basis helps to do that. It also helps to be outside getting fresh air and sunshine. And yes, being relaxed and mentally at peace enough to stop the overactive mind is necessary for restful sleep. Being at the beach already encourages those things, as we’ve just discussed. Focus on the beauty. Focus on the peace. Let your senses discover and explore. Being surrounded by peace and beauty both indoors and outdoors is necessary for getting good rest and making it a part of your daily routine. Find where that is for you. For us, it’s definitely the beach.

To Be More Adventurous

Adventure comes easy when you live at the beach. There are so many things to do all the time that you’re sure to be challenged, inspired and encouraged to break out of your comfort zone and push your personal boundaries. What’s your idea of adventure? Scuba diving? Deep sea fishing? Sky diving? The beach has all those things and so much more. It also helps to be surrounded by adventurous people who are out there doing new things and willing to experience something different. You’ll be more inclined to do those things yourself. Maybe it’s time you started checking some things off of your bucket list!

To Be a Healthier Eater

A healthy diet is another big one on the New Year’s resolutions lists. Eating healthy is definitely a whole lot easier when you live in a place that offers up a lot of fresh, healthful options. Think locally caught seafood right off the boat and onto your table. Also think fresh fruits and produce that are available to you more than during just a short season during the year but all year long, thanks to favorable growing conditions and temperate weather. Being near the beach has a lot of inherent health benefits and being close to fresh, delicious food is one of them. You’ll also find an abundance of local farmers markets, fish markets and beach markets available to you throughout the year. Take full advantage of them their bounty.

Happy family jumping in the waves | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Rentals

To Find More Joy

Sometimes a New Year’s resolution involves seeking happiness and finding more joy in life. Isn’t that what makes the world go round? Well happiness is rarely a reachable end goal if you don’t do other things along the way that produce happiness in your life. Our recommendation? Do more of all the other things on this list and you’re well on your way to a more joyful life. Health, peace, rest, adventure and an active lifestyle are sure to produce positive benefits in all areas of your life. Happiness is such a personal thing that you also need to set aside time for reflection and mindful thinking about what things make YOU happy. What gives you joy? What sparks your inner passions? What makes you feel good? Do those things!