I don’t understand the appeal of sunbathing?

[Labubus]

I have autism, which may be why!

Can someone who enjoys sunbathing/ lying next to a pool explain the appeal of it to me? I find it boring, vain, and a waste of time! I’d much rather be in the pool having fun or exploring the local area!

However, I’m clearly in the minority for my demographic here! Most other middle aged British women seem to love it! They pay thousands for it! Why?

I don’t enjoy it either. I’ve always assumed people were sleeping off a hangover.

I'm autistic and I used to like sunbathing as a teenager. These days I love sunbathing on a sunny day in winter/early spring (obviously in clothes!) but I overheat after about five minutes once the temperature goes over 19 ish.

Love lizarding it up in the sun 🌞 whether it be in the garden at home or by the pool on holiday. Feel so much better with a tan.

I'm a bit older than middle aged, went away for a four day break. For the first time ever I spent my time drinking, napping and reading, on a sun longer, but not by the pool. My body needed the recharge. My DD and her friends do similar in November, they have exceptionally physically, busy jobs, six days a week, which intensifies over Winter and they need the down time before it. Also I'm autistic, so is my DD, neither of us can do pools.

Can’t bear it. Can’t bear lounging on a sofa either, but lying in the sun with the feeling my skin is being burnt and only a chemical mix saving from doing exactly that.

I’d rather ‘do’ than ‘be’

Im usually in the shade but I like that its warm and to read in a relaxed, warm, dry outdoors place. Broken up with cooling pool dips

Couldn't do it exclusively though. Try and get a holiday with a couple of book days and adventure days

You can absolutely justify it. I could get through winter without 10 days on Phuket every February. Do it!

I know no one like that.

Dozing under an umbrella in the sun is my favourite thing. It doesn’t preclude sailing, diving, cycling, walking, dining whilst on holiday, but it’s so relaxing.

Its the same as lying on a bed or a sofa but with a bit of warmth on you

I get it .
I like to sunbathe but cringe at the people who put their face and décolletage in the direct sun.

Sod that.
I wear a huge hat and sunnies and never get my face or chest area tanned . I’m fifty tomorrow and get lots of compliments on my skin.

I dont think we're sun bed neighbours

I've never sunbathed in my life. Can't Stand the heat.

I used to absolutely love it until a couple of years ago (I’m 35).

I HATE it now. I hate being out in the sun for ages. I hate sweating and being boiling and I basically just whinge the whole time. It makes me really ratty.

I hate sunbathing, its so boring! Nt here and very active, I'd prefer to do some kind of activity anyday over sunbathing. My ND daughter can not understand why anyone would walk without purpose. She's only happy if you're walking to get somewhere, not having a look around!!

Should that be our end goal, compliments on our skin? Why would you cringe at perfectly usual behaviour?

I don't like sunbathing or lying by the pool. I understand why others do- they like relaxing with the feel of the hot sun on their body. I like misty autumn weather tramping through the woods. Just personal preference!

I never sunbathe, but I love lying on a beach in the shade or under a parasol by a pool reading and enjoying the beautiful views. I do long swims, go for a beach side lunch, sleep. And yes, I pay thousands to do so. Its a great pleasure for me.

I've never sunbathed in my life.

Never really thought about why others do it but not something I've ever wanted to do. I have never been on that kind of holiday, don't even own a swimsuit/bikini.

Everyone's different ultimately!

It bores me to death. I've been on holiday with friends who would happily lie in the sun for 10 hours a day, every day for a fortnight. I can do it for an hour, then i want to be going for a walk or a swim or a drink or anything at all.

Bit of a leap from your original question

I love just lying, doing very little. It is so relaxing - reading a book, people watching, doing some puzzles, dipping in the pool or sea occasionally. So, so different from daily life of 'busy-ness'.
I have never 'got waxed', can't imagine where you would find a bikini for hundreds of pounds - let alone want to , have never used fake tan in my life, don't wear make up even for a night out let alone to lie by a pool. So there isn't much of a link between this post and your original question.

In relation to the original question, autistic or not, you are aware that people are all individuals, with different things they enjoy or don't enjoy, surely ?

I have friends that like doing all sorts of things I don't. I don't have to enjoy something to understand that it can be very appealing to someone else.

Oh god I love being by a sunlounger by a pool on holiday! Book, drink, podcast for headphones when I want to lay on my front.
I feel solar powered and like the sun recharges me!
My caveat is that I would do this for maybe an hour or two on a holiday each day. And not one we are on with the kids, dh and I take a holiday for ourselves late on in the year without the kids (2 adults and a teen!), those holidays are more busy and energetic.
But the ones where it’s just us 2 we’ll take a couple of hours out of the day to relax by the pool, have a dip to cool down and get back out for reading. Then we go out and do something (like find a bar 🤣) or a day trip somewhere.
We would both be bored doing this all day every day but it always features somewhere.

It’s not for everyone and that’s fine, not all holidays suit all people - great job there’s such an array of choice!

I like feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and heat from the sand or holding smooth warm pebbles while listening to the waves. And lying on a comfortable sunlounger reading a good book is pretty tough to beat.

I am not vain when sunbathing though - good job as I typically look sweaty, pink and swimwear is pretty unforgiving of my middle-aged belly.

It's not compulsory though, if you don't enjoy it, don't do it. (And if you do enjoy is wear sunscreen!)

I didn't like it either until I had DC, now it's just a socially acceptable chance to lay down somewhere warm in the middle of the day

I hate sunbathing and never do it. I find it boring, I can't sit still for long; I want to be off exploring on holiday. I love reading, but not outside in the sun, it doesn't feel right. Also I burn so easily that I can't relax in the sun even when slathered in sunscreen.

I don’t like it in the slightest, there is no way you’d ever find me choosing to sit/lay in the sun.

I had a diagnosis if melanoma, and the dermatologist asked where in the world I’d been basking - but I hadn’t!!