Maybe it’s the sound of the ocean. Perhaps it’s the salt air, or the feel of the sand between your toes. But there’s now proof from health experts – everybody really does feel better at the beach.

A new study from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) shows that people had feelings of “enjoyment, calmness and refreshment” when exercising along the coast.

The study shows that people enjoy the coast more than other natural environments regardless of their age, the activity they’re engaged in, how far they’ve traveled, or whether it’s crowded. The ECEHH says that all natural environments have a positive influence on our mood, but visiting or living by the coast is the most relaxing.

I would never do anything so rigorous at the beach like conducting a study, but it feels right. Doesn’t it?

In putting together this list of the world’s 50 best beaches, the staff at CNNGO called beaches “the Valium of the travel world – they soothe, they relax, they make you realize that ‘real life’ sometimes needs escaping.”

A lot of the getaways we discuss here at Healthy Travel Blog revolve around (healthily) creating new and very possibly unforgettable experiences – seeing spectacular sights, trying new foods, etc. But visiting the beach seems like a non-experience (although some of those world-class beaches seem more like the runway at a fashion show, which could be memorable but probably not relaxing. But then again, the ECEHH study says it is, so maybe I should give it a try).

But whether it’s the place that’s just a couple hour drive away, or it’s a world-renowned white sand masterpiece halfway around the world, the beach has always been the best place to chill out.

And now, it’s official.