When you ask most people what comes to mind when they think about vacation they will reply “the beach”. I am a BIG fan of the beach or just being outside in nature for both emotional and physical health.
The beach is known for it’s beauty and yet what you really LOVE about the beach is how you “feel” while you are at the beach and even for hours or days afterwards. It’s the best prescription for healing, tapping into your creativity, and creating your creating your best life.
You get an instant calming effect listening to the sound of the waves, a sense of freedom breathing in fresh air and an overall feeling of good health and happiness. Here are some of the many health and happiness benefits of going for a walk on the beach. This is Part 1 in our series of “Flourishing Health”.
Relaxing and An Overall Feeling of Wellbeing
Just listing to the sound of the ocean instantly has a soothing effect. Listening to the waves can actually raise your brain wave state by releasing dopamine and serotonin which are known as the feel good chemicals into your bloodstream. Your brain is made up of 80% water so it makes sense the sound of the ocean has a natural effect on your biochemistry and can enhance your mood naturally.
Increase Your Levels of Vitamin D
Most of you already know Vitamin D is associated with sunlight. When I had my levels checked a few months ago they were low even thought I live in on the beach in South Florida. A deficiency in Vitamin D is associated with in increase in incidence of many diseases. It’s a easy fix and something that many people don’t seem to consider when looking at their overall health and wellbeing. I would be remiss here if I didn’t mention you may want to have your levels checked at your next physical.
Earthing and Grounding
Remember when you were a kid and you got in trouble for going outside barefoot. Well times have changed especially because of Wi-Fi, sitting at your computer or holding your cell phone in your hand most of the day. This builds up high amounts of positive electrons which increase the risk of disease. To compensate for all of the positive electrons and toxicity pouring into your body from being electronically plugged in all of the time, you can neutralize the harm full effects by earthing. Because most people spend the majority of their time indoors unlike their ancestors who spent their time outdoors there is less and less direct contact with the soil. Then add in sneakers and wearing rubber shoes and the problem escalates. The sand and ocean water, naturally rich in nutrients both help ground the body and remove excess positive electrons.
More Oxygen and Breathing Easier
Enjoy being able to breathe easier during and after a day at the beach. The minute you start your walk on the beach you atomically start to become deliberate with your breathe. There is a tendency to breathe in with intention because the fresh air feels so good on your lungs. Your body craves oxygen on a cellular level. Oxygen fuels your cells and helps people with breathing issues like asthma and sinus issues to breath with less constriction and discomfort. The air is a higher quality and is filled with negative ions again helping to detoxify the whole body.