People often imagine beaches or lakes when they are asked what their ‘happy place is, and that isn’t just a coincidence. Beaches are beneficial to humans in almost every way you can imagine. It is great for us mentally, but there are also amazing physical and spiritual benefits to relaxing by a beach.
How beaches benefit us mentally
Life can seem like an endless cycle of stress sometimes. Especially with the recent pandemic, some people’s mental health has hit all-time lows. It’s been an unfortunate few years for many, but maybe that is all more the reason to visit the beach this summer. Sometimes just being outdoors is all people need to get out of a mental loop. However, the ocean air has its own kind of benefits.
Being at the beach has been known to lessen anxiety and improve the way people deal with stress. Visiting the beach can also boost self-esteem and lift your mood. If you are somebody who struggles with anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder, visiting the beach is a great way to get out of a funk!
How beaches benefit us socially
It may seem pretty straightforward how beaches help us socially, but there’s a lot more to discuss here. It’s pretty universal to imagine getting married on the beach as the sun sets, but beaches offer many benefits to us socially.
As the beach can help with self-esteem, it can also reduce the feeling of loneliness and isolation. These feelings not only help individuals emotionally but can also make them feel more included socially.
In addition to that, beaches and recreational areas offer a lot more services that can bring people together. Between the countless activities, like boating, fishing, kayaking, and so much more, there are many ways to connect with new people who share similar interests with you. Many beaches offer fun events throughout the year, so there are many opportunities to be a part of a community. You could even volunteer, which is another excellent way to increase sociability.
How beaches benefit us physically
Maybe the recent pandemic also affected you physically, or you’re just looking for a lifestyle change. The beach is a wonderful place to start.
The ocean produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe! This is probably why so many people say they feel like they can think more clearly beside the ocean. It’s also shown to lower blood pressure and other hormones related to stress.
Swimming is also known as one of the best exercises people can do because it works several muscles out at once. It’s also been shown that swimming can reduce heart disease risks, regulate blood sugar, and also helps with asthma and multiple sclerosis symptoms. This definitely is a fun, beneficial way to take care of your physical health!
How beaches benefit us spiritually
For a very long time, water has been viewed as having healing capabilities. A prominent example that comes to mind is baptisms. Water is used for so many sacred rituals, including blessings and cleansings. This makes sense because water is viewed as cleansing and powerful most of the time.
Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, researched exactly this: how the ocean and bodies of water benefit us spiritually. He found some amazing points. One of those is that beaches give you a sense of connectivity and compassion. This is because beaches put us in a state of “awe.” People can go there to feel a deeper connection to the world we live in and the people around us.
Beaches are also a fantastic opportunity to ground yourself. To ground yourself is to feel secure with the world we live in. It’s easier to ground yourself in a natural setting. This is an important, scientific way to improve your overall health. By grounding, you balance the positive electrons your body builds all day by receiving some of the negative electrons that the Earth releases.
To wrap this up, the beach is simply a must-visit this summer. Not only is it important, but it’s almost essential. There are so many benefits and unique opportunities that you can experience if you get out and take a walk by the beach. Even if it’s one hour through the week, this visit could be the change you didn’t even know you needed in your life!
