The weather is hot and sunny, practically begging you to take a break from your normal daily activities and take a trip to the beach instead. Nothing is better than feeling the hot sun on your back, the sand fitting around you under the towel, and getting lulled to sleep by the sounds of waves and the smell and feel of the ocean breeze.

The summer is a time for beach visits with friends and family, and to make the most of a successful beach trip, there are a few things you should remember before and during the day.

1. Pack Light

It might be tempting to bring that extra chair or heavy umbrella with you as you’re packing your car but by the time you actually arrive at the beach and see where you need to carry it, that desire goes away very quickly. You don’t need that kind of stuff when you could go simple and just lay on towels with plenty of sunscreen, especially because lugging all those kind of supplies to your area of the beach will simply make you sweaty and dehydrated before your day even starts.

2. Sunscreen

Speaking of plenty of sunscreen, make sure to apply layer after layer. Not just to protect your delicate skin from the harmful rays and long-term effects but because you don’t want your evening ruined with a tender burn that you’ll regret for days afterwards. Better to remember your time at the beach fondly than to have it overshadowed by the pain of a sunburn.

3. Music

What is laying out in the sun without a little music? Create a fun summer playlist before you even leave for the day so you can have it ready to listen to while you’re there. You’ll be linking listening to these songs to happy times, making them just that much more meaningful when you hear them again in the future.

4. Food

Make sure you bring plenty of food and water too. You don't want to get irritable or dizzy from the heat or an empty stomach. A cooler is one thing you should never leave behind to save room, especially because, even if there is a pier in which to buy food or drinks, it is all very expensive and not worth the effort when you could get it at home.

5. Go Shell Collecting

Once you’re actually at the beach, make sure to make time for a little walk by the shoreline, looking for shells. I, personally, also love finding pieces of crabs or pretty pebbles too, and many of these finds can become beautiful mementos from the trip, stored in a glass jar, for years to come.

6. Go in the Water

No trip is complete without a dip in the water itself. No matter how cold, it’s worth at least a few steps out to completely immerse yourself into the beach experience. Everyone knows how good salty ocean water is supposed to be for your complexion, cuts, or even skin hydration. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s a beach staple, so find your way into the water for at least a little to benefit all around.

The beach is my happy place and I hope, with a little help, it can be yours too.

Your life is stressful enough, so why don’t you unwind with a nice nap on the beach? You may be picking sand out of your hair for the next week, but it’ll be worth it.