freepb.org - A Day on the Beach Is a Nice Change When Recovering From Surgery

For many, spending a day at the beach is something that's taken for granted. It's no big deal to swim in the ocean, play a game of sand volleyball, or sit around with friends and bask in the warm glow of the summer sun. We really don't think much of the beach until we're no longer able to enjoy it. When you're recovering from cardiac surgery, the little things in life-including a day at the beach-can be taken away from you just like that.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Sure, you're going to be laid up for a period of time after a major surgery, and that's normal. Your body simply needs time to heal after the trauma it's been through. But recovering from surgery will likely involve some sort of cardiac rehabilitation program. Activities like walking, cycling, and strength training may be part of a successful rehab program. Each case is different, but this is certainly a break from the past, when bed rest was a more common rehab method.

So what does the beach have to do with cardiac rehabilitation? Well, anyone who has been to a beach before knows that a walk along the shore is as pleasant an experience as there is. Best of all, walking can be done at any pace. This is important, as it allows the recovering patient to take it easy if they're not feeling as well, shortening their walk or going slower.

It's important to check with your physician, but swimming can be a very effective part of your cardiac rehab program. Since by definition a beach is on a body of water, there is usually swimming available. Swimming, as long as it isn't overdone, can be a wonderful activity for someone rehabbing from surgery. It's low impact and can be altered to be more or less strenuous. Even if you don't want to swim, simply walking in the water is a nice change from walking on dry sand.

And the best thing about spending time at the beach when you're recovering is simply getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Being confined to a bed or staying indoors all day can get monotonous, and it can mean that you're not interacting with people. It's healthy to be around others and to hear laughter and conversation. Depression can afflict those who are rehabilitating from a major surgery, and interacting with others may help.

Hopefully, you'll never find yourself rehabilitating from a heart bypass. If you do, however, remember to keep the beach in mind as you begin your rehab process. Sure, you may not be able to grab your surfboard or bump, set, and spike with the other people playing volleyball. But that's no reason to stay cooped up inside!


"Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty." -- Wendell Phillips Join freepb.org Join your Town Council Beach Alcohol Task Force News Mission Statement Letters & Articles Contact Us Links & Local Contacts Partners/Sponsors Volunteer Opportunities		A Day on the Beach Is a Nice Change When Recovering From Surgery For many, spending a day at the beach is something that's taken for granted. It's no big deal to swim in the ocean, play a game of sand volleyball, or sit around with friends and bask in the warm glow of the summer sun. We really don't think much of the beach until we're no longer able to enjoy it. When you're recovering from cardiac surgery, the little things in life-including a day at the beach-can be taken away from you just like that. But it doesn't have to be like that. Sure, you're going to be laid up for a period of time after a major surgery, and that's normal. Your body simply needs time to heal after the trauma it's been through. But recovering from surgery will likely involve some sort of cardiac rehabilitation program. Activities like walking, cycling, and strength training may be part of a successful rehab program. Each case is different, but this is certainly a break from the past, when bed rest was a more common rehab method. So what does the beach have to do with cardiac rehabilitation? Well, anyone who has been to a beach before knows that a walk along the shore is as pleasant an experience as there is. Best of all, walking can be done at any pace. This is important, as it allows the recovering patient to take it easy if they're not feeling as well, shortening their walk or going slower. It's important to check with your physician, but swimming can be a very effective part of your cardiac rehab program. Since by definition a beach is on a body of water, there is usually swimming available. Swimming, as long as it isn't overdone, can be a wonderful activity for someone rehabbing from surgery. It's low impact and can be altered to be more or less strenuous. Even if you don't want to swim, simply walking in the water is a nice change from walking on dry sand. And the best thing about spending time at the beach when you're recovering is simply getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Being confined to a bed or staying indoors all day can get monotonous, and it can mean that you're not interacting with people. It's healthy to be around others and to hear laughter and conversation. Depression can afflict those who are rehabilitating from a major surgery, and interacting with others may help. Hopefully, you'll never find yourself rehabilitating from a heart bypass. If you do, however, remember to keep the beach in mind as you begin your rehab process. Sure, you may not be able to grab your surfboard or bump, set, and spike with the other people playing volleyball. But that's no reason to stay cooped up inside!