I’m blessed to be living a short distance from the sea. Until it got to the peak of the pandemic, when the authorities closed access to the beach area, I could walk down within 20 minutes to enjoy a nice peaceful walk along the waterline. It does become crowded on the weekends, but on a regular day, it is almost just you, the beach, and the blue sky. It’s an intense feeling to have the breeze on your face, a gentle wave lapping on your feet, and to breathe in the fresh air. I’m sure you had an enjoyable time on the beach on your last visit. But did you know that walking or jogging along the beach is health-inducing, beyond the benefit of being just an exercise?
A physician treats, but nature heals.
~Hippocrates
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.
~John Burroughs
It has all to do with the ions in the air. And what are ions – an ion is defined as an atom or molecule (in the air that we breathe) that has gained or lost electrons, giving it a net positive or negative charge. The Lenard effect describes the negative charge created when water surfaces collide at a waterfall or at the beach. Negative ions are also in abundance in many other places in nature, including the mountains, the forest, and near a river. They are odorless, tasteless, and invisible. The health-inducing ions at the beach have up to 20x concentration of negative ions when compared to an environment in a crowded city. One point to note – negative ions induce positive effects, while positive ions induce negative effects – yes, indeed a play with words here. But it is just about electrical charges.
The negative ions are believed to reach our bloodstream through the skin and air intake, to produce biochemical reactions. Negative ions enhance our mood, stimulate our senses, improve appetite and sexual drive, provide relief from hay fever, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, allergies, migraines, even post-operative pain, and burns. The body is better able to absorb oxygen into the blood cells, oxidize serotonin, and filter airborne contaminants. You could also feel better in the mind walking down the beach Negative ions also help increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression and relieve stress. Additionally, these ions neutralize free radicals, revitalize cell metabolism and enhance immune function.
So a visit to the beach this weekend could be all that the doctor could advise for our wellbeing, for there is medicine in the sea air. It is no surprise to find the crowds at the beach on the weekends. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to the beach. For now, I’m able to see the sea from my high floor condominium, and I do get salty sea breeze all year round.
In case you’re too far away from the beach, consider also the technology alternative to having negative ions by way of:
– a USB stick ionizer that plugs into the computer
– an Ionic Light Bulb, that emits negative ions when the light is turned on
– an air-conditioner with a built-in negative ion generator
– a negative ion generator for the house or car
Some background science and research for you here.
