Can you imagine going to your doctor and having that medical professional prescribe three days at the beach as a cure for what ails you? That scenario may not be as far-fetched as you think it is.

Numerous studies have shown scientifically what we as a species have figured out organically. The beach is good for us. Not only is it an emotional break from the day to day grind of life but there are real scientific benefits to spending time beside the ocean.

I know I sleep better with the sound of waves crashing or even gently lapping at the shore. That rhythmic sound actually puts your mind at ease. It can almost put you in a trance if you let it.

The color of the water is also a stress reducer. Okay, I am talking about the blue colored water, not the brackish water we see off the coast of Louisiana. The color blue has a calming effect. Put that with the calming effect of the waves and you're practically limp before you even hit your beach chair.

Scientists also say there is something about the feeling of our feet in the sand that help us reconnect with relaxation too. Not only is it a tactile feeling but the free ions in the sand are absorbed by the feet. Feet have a lot of nerve endings and are a great passageway to the rest of the body. That's why you like walking in the sand unless it's slightly cooler than the temperature of the sun.

You thought the stories about salt air were a myth? They are not. The ocean mist also carries charged particles from the ocean waters and these ions or lack of ions actually affect the electrical stimulus the brain receives. The salt air actually calms you down.

Here we have scientific proof that going to the beach not only relaxes the body and mind but the body chemistry is affected in a positive way as well. How come Blue Cross isn't covering a week in Gulf Shores for all of us? I bet they'd be money ahead and we'd be healthy years ahead if they did.

 

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