When you’re out on the ocean and sailing in your boat, you might as well take this opportunity to get a nice healthy and glowing tan. We all love a sun-kissed complexion especially when our tan gives us a beautiful flush in our cheeks. Sunbathing is one of the most relaxing activities you can do while you’re boating. What’s more awesome than lying or sitting under the sun while meditating or reading a good book?

Aside from achieving a nice tan, sunbathing also helps your physical and mental health. Sun exposure can help your body produce more Vitamin D, which is essential for cell growth, reducing inflammation, and boosting one’s immune system. Sunlight also helps your body regulate melatonin production which is essential in stabilizing your circadian rhythms. The melatonin hormone helps regulate your sleep cycle which helps you sleep better at night. Sun exposure can also help improve blood circulation and lower your blood pressure.

Sunlight can also help reduce depression as it stimulates your brain to release serotonin, a hormone that boosts your mood and make you happy and calm. On top of that sunlight have healing properties that can treat skin diseases.

However, sunbathing can also pose some risks too. If you stay too long under the heat of the sun, you can get sunburned pretty badly. Because of the harmful UV light from the sun, your sunburn may cause melanoma later in life. You could also get painful skin blisters and itchy spots as well.

You can avoid all of these unpleasant experiences by following some helpful sunbathing tips below:

Avoid Sunbathing in the Middle of the Day

Dermatologists suggest getting sun exposure before 9:00 am and after 4:00 pm. These are the times when the heat and light of the sun are not too strong because only small amounts of UV rays are emitted. Make sure to avoid staying under the sun in between these hours because this is when sunlight emits strong and harmful UV rays. If you’re still in the waters after 9:00 am, cover yourself up with light and cotton long-sleeved clothes. 

Limit Your Sunbathing Time

Don’t stay under the sun for too long. One indication of when your sunbathing session is over is why you start to sweat. If you’re sweating, get out of the sun and cool yourself down.

Wear Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays by wearing shades. Make sure to get the ones that block both UVA and UVB rays.

Use a Hat to Cover Your Head

It’s advisable to cover your head and your face with a wide-brim hat to avoid getting sunburned. Your scalp and your face have much more sensitive skin than the rest of your body and they tend to get sunburned easily.

Hydrate Yourself Regularly

Don’t forget to drink enough water or any liquid refreshments with lots of electrolytes when sunbathing to avoid getting dehydrated.

Don’t Forget to Wear Sunscreens

Sunscreens or sunblock are must-boating accessories to have whether you’re sailing, fishing, or especially when you’re sunbathing. You’re spending some time out in the open water and you’re exposing yourself to the extreme sunlight sunscreen is your perfect tool to protect yourself from it so don’t forget to wear one whenever you’re out on your boat. It’s advisable to wear 30+ SPF sun lotions that can protect skin from both UVB and UVA rays exposure. Spread the SPF lotion all over your body from head to toe. Apply it 15 minutes before you head out. Don’t forget to reapply the SPF lotion every two hours. You can buy sunscreens in some boating centres or grocery stores.