There is something soothing about the sound of ocean waves, the smell of salt water, and the feeling of warm sand beneath your toes. Having grown up near the beach, I always classified my happiness on the beach as no more than nostalgia. Yet, recent studies prove that a beach-type environment can have a profound impact on our brains and mental health.
Although few people will deny the importance of brain health, most of us don't focus as much effort on taking care of our mental health as we do our physical health. The misnomer that physical fitness trumps mental health is to our detriment. The reality of the matter is that we need a balance of both physically and mentally.
Listen to crashing waves. The repetitive sound made by waves crashing on the beach, the slow whooshing noises are the sounds of non-threats, like the gently and rhythmic inhalations and exhalations of breathing, they work to clam people. The sound of the waves can help you to achieve a meditative state. which is proven to heal and strengthen your brain.
Smell the ocean mist, allow your lungs to be filled with the salty misty air, your brain may be receiving instant benefits. Negative ions in the air can actually help calm your brain.
Negative ions have been shown to have a pronounced anti-depressant effects.
Walking barefoot on the sand, has been proven to have a number of stimulating benefits to our minds and our bodies. The reason is that feet contain a rich network of nerves and acupuncture points. Our feet also absorb free ions on the earth surface in much the same way that our lungs are able to absorb ions in the air. So when you walk barefoot you are connecting your body to negatively charged supply of energy. The result is one that many of us feel as soon as we kick off our shoes. We are grounding ourselves to the earth.
