A trip to the beach always sounds like a good idea. There’s something relaxing about sun, surf, wind and salty air – it just feels good.
People flock to the coast for all sorts of reasons. Relaxation, exercise, a chance to reset – but according to recent research, there may be more concrete psychological benefits to visiting the seaside. Specifically, brain-boosting benefits!
Here are some of the proven ways a trip to the surf can improve your mind (and body!).
Waves Heal Your Brain
Do you find the sound of crashing waves relaxing? You’re not alone.
“These slow, whooshing noises are the sounds of non-threats, which is why they work to calm people,” says Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of behaviour health at Pennsylvania State University. Yes, the sound of waves can help you calm down and even achieve a meditative state. This sort of relaxation is proven to heal and strengthen your brain.
Waves Heal Your Body
The sound of ocean waves can also reduce cortisol levels. Too much cortisol (aka the stress hormone) can result in health problems like ulcers, heart disease, and a long list of others so keeping it to a minimum provides a big boost to your overall health.
The Ocean Encourages Self-Reflection
The benefits of that soothing wave sound go even further still. Scientists scanned the brains of people who were exposed to ocean sounds and traffic noise and found that the prefrontal cortex (the area of the brain associated with emotion and self-reflection) became engaged.
There’s Something in the Air…
That refreshing breath of misty, salty air you get whilst walking along the shore may be providing your mind with instant benefits.
Seaside air is full of negative ions, which have been shown to calm your brain and even produce an anti-depressant effect.
Toes in the Sand, Brain on the Mend
Walking barefoot is proven to stimulate the body and mind. Our feet contain many complex nerves and acupuncture points, which can be activated – especially when you’re walking on the sand.
A report in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine explains how the body can actually absorb energy from the earth through the feet. So when you kick off your shoes and feel a burst of energy – it’s not just psychological, it may be physical.
Conclusion
There you have it – a few more good reasons to not just visit, but live near, the beach.
If you’re looking for coastal property in Perth, consider heading north to Atlantis Beach in Two Rocks. Our seaside village has the best value coastal land in the northern corridor.
