As summer gets closer, we start fantasizing about enjoying warm weather, soaking up sun, and rejuvenating our minds and bodies after a grueling school year. The perfect place to do all those things? The beach!
The beach is a beautiful place. You can enjoy the sound of crashing waves, the smell of salt air, cool water, warm sun, and gentle sea breezes. These obvious attractions only scratch the surface of the ocean’s treasures, however. There are scientific reasons why the beach is so good for our mental and physical health.
Seawater
First of all, the seawater at the beach is rich in minerals and elements that are essential for our well-being, such as iodine, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals improve your nervous system function, balance your pH levels, and balance your enzymes. The best part is that when you swim in this mineral-rich water, you absorb the perfect amount of those elements through your skin. Secondly, because of its salinity and natural antiseptic properties, seawater is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Lastly, the cold ocean water vitalizes your immune system, leaving you refreshed and stimulated.
Sandy Beaches
While it is perfect for sandcastles, sand is also a great exfoliator. Those miniscule particles of rocks and shells remove your dead skin cells and help your skin regenerate. Additionally, health experts say that walking barefoot on sandy beaches resets the electricity in your body by absorbing negative ions. “What are negative ions?” you may ask. Keep reading to learn more about these intriguing elements of nature!
Ocean Air
There’s something about ocean air that makes me breathe deeply and sigh happily; it’s because of negative ions. Negative ions are atoms or molecules that have a negative charge; they occur in nature and are formed by fast moving water (such as ocean waves). Negative ions can be found everywhere in nature, but they are especially abundant at the beach. Each time a wave crashes, the molecules break apart and join with negative electrons. These ions are carried in the air and also subside in the ground, so we can simultaneously inhale them when we breathe and absorb them through our bare feet! Negative ions have a mood-stabilizing effect, and are proven to increase oxygen levels and serotonin in our brains. Fresh air is key to a happy mood!
Seaside Sunlight
It is common scientific knowledge that we need sun every day to live healthily and happily. Because of its wide, open beaches and sparkling, reflective waves, the beach is the perfect place to get sun. One reason the sun is so important is that the sun’s rays make our bodies form Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, immune health, nerve connections, and much more. Secondly, watching the sunrise (of which you have a perfect view when you visit an East Coast beach) undoes the damage from late nights and stressed sleep! Seeing the sunrise resets your sleep cycle and Circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock). Lastly, the sun makes you sweat, and sweat detoxes harmful compounds in your body.
Remember: avoid prolonged exposure to the sun between 10am and 3pm, as harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun are strongest at that time. Wear zinc-based sunscreen to prevent sunburn!
As you can see, there are many, many reasons why spending time at the beach is so valuable. Simply being there is healthy; so incorporate activities like exercise and prayer into your beach vacation and you will benefit a hundredfold!
Sources
https://quintonmedical.com/benefits-of-seawater/skin
https://www.ionloop.com/technology/negative-ion-bracelet/
https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/negative-ions-create-positive-vibes
