For centuries, people have been flocking to the beach in droves. In the hot summer months, there is nothing better than a refreshing swim in the sea but our relationship with the seven seas runs much deeper than that.
The sea is said to have great healing properties due to its high mineral content. It is a natural day spa, helping to cure the body inside and out. It is normal to feel energised and renewed after a swim in the ocean, but have you ever stopped to think about what it is that makes us feel this way?
Water holds great emotional, social and psychological benefits. It brings people together, keeps people alive and is scientifically proven to restore the body. Dr Wallace J Nichols explains this phenomenon in his Ted Talk, Blue Mind in the Desert. He explains that «Nature is medicine — a walk on the beach; a surfing session; a stroll through the woods heals us. It fixes what is broken inside of us. Nature can reduce our stress, it can make us more creative and bring us together.”
Based on my personal experience swimming in the ocean, I sleep better, my happiness levels are through the roof and any aches and pains that I had experienced are reduced significantly. This is all after a swim in the sea. No fancy med spa comes close to the euphoria that nature arouses inside of you.
We all talk of feeling ‘grounded’ and whole. But many of us don’t know what that word really means or how we too can feel grounded by nature. The ocean is a magical tool for grounding the body – it is like a biological factory reset. Osteopathic Physician, Dr Mercola describes the process of grounding in his article as ‘one of the most potent antioxidants that we know of’.
He goes on to explain «The human body appears to be finely tuned to “work” with the earth in the sense that there’s a constant flow of energy between our bodies and the earth. When you put your feet on the ground, you absorb large amounts of negative electrons through the soles of your feet. In today’s world, this is more important than ever, yet fewer people than ever actually connect with the earth in this way anymore. Free radical stress from exposure to mercury pollution, cigarettes, insecticides, pesticides, trans fats, and radiation, just to name a few, continually deplete your body of electrons…Grounding effectively alleviates inflammation because it thins your blood and infuses you with negatively charged ions through the soles of your feet.»
So, by being in direct contact with nature, you are allowing your body the opportunity to let in all the good, clean energy that Mother Nature provides. Mix this with all the healthy minerals in the ocean and it is no surprise that a trip to the beach has us feeling like we are on cloud nine.
Which is your favourite beach to visit?
