6 things you’re not doing (but should!) when you party at the beach

It’s the time year to pack up the cooler and head to the beach for a day of sun, sand, friends, and drinks. But before you go, there are a few things you should remind yourself of before partying at the beach. Taking care of these health-related tasks will ensure that you have the best possible time during your coastal weekend adventures.
Pass these tips onto your friends, and let the goods times roll!
1Drink water in between your alcoholic beverages.
We know, we know: shandies and piña coladas are best when consumed on the sand. But alcohol is diuretic, which means it makes you have to pee more. When you pee more, you’re flushing hydration out of your system and that’s bad news when you’re baking in the sun.
Stay on top of your water consumption when you’re partying on the beach so you don’t end up super dehydrated at the end of the day. Snack on water rich fruits and veggies (like watermelon and celery) to increase your water intake during the day. Also, make sure you hydrate before partying, and post-hydrate before bed.
2Stay out of the ocean.
Usually, the perfect way to cool down after baking in the sun is taking a nice dip in the ocean. But if you’ve been drinking, this “nice dip” could go horribly wrong. According to experts, alcohol impairs your senses, and it causes you to take more risks without sensing the danger.
Alcohol also impairs sense of distance and can also cause “reflex closure” in your windpipe, meaning your airways can constrict at an unideal moment. Your best bet to just sit at the water’s edge and leave swimming for when you’re focused.
3Rest in the shade for a while.
We’re all about working on your tan while at the beach. But when you mix partying and tanning, you’re at a high risk of overheating — and that’s something that water alone might not be able to cure.
Heat stroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion, and if left untreated, can affect your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The Mayo Clinic states that heat and alcohol are the perfect cocktail, if you will, for heat stroke. So take a break in the shade every once in a while to lower your risk.
4Reapply sunscreen as often as possible.
It’s easy to lose track of time while at the beach, whether you’re relaxing, reading, or even sleeping. And as we’re probably all familiar with, it’s also easy to lose track of time while drinking. These two factors make forgetting to reapply sunscreen a very easy thing to do while partying at the beach.
But reapplying sunscreen is crucial to keeping your skin unburnt and healthy. The Skin Cancer Foundation ironically states that “you need to apply 1 oz – about a shot glass full,” of sunscreen every two hours will ensure you’re getting the full SPF benefits.
5Stick with your friends when the sun goes down.
If you’ve partied into the night, and the sun is just about to set over the horizon, make sure you stick with the group. Beaches usually don’t have lighting after dark, so if you wander off, it’ll be very hard to find you. Plus, you don’t want to end up in the water!
Pack flashlights or camp lights to carry with you after dark and make sure you’re always with a buddy.
6Leave the bonfire to your sober friends.
Some beaches allow beachgoers to build bonfires after dark, which can really be the best part of a beach outing. But fire and alcohol just don’t mix in any capacity.
Leave the fire building, setting, and extinguishing to you designated driver or sober friend. If there’s no one there to take one for the team, then perhaps it’s best to leave fire out of the equation.
Have fun, be safe, and party on!