Why You Should Spend More Time in the Ocean - Mental and Physical Benefits of the Ocean

When we see, smell, feel, and think of the ocean we typically feel a calming affect. All our vacations near the ocean are always the best of vacations. Some of us even find ways to take the beach or ocean home with us utilizing ocean scented candles or wave sounds to help us sleep. The ocean supports life in a multitude of ways as it covers 75% of the earth. Growing up on an island surrounded by the ocean, I have reaped the benefits full fold in my life, and want to show everyone how important the ocean truly is in our lives.

1) Physical Benefits:

Salty Air is Good For you!

This Wall Street Journal article states that in the 18th and 19th century ocean air was the cure for everything from Asthma to Tuberculosis and mental illnesses. Doctors consistently suggested patients to spend more time or even move to more tropical areas near the beach. Salty ocean air is to clear out your lungs when you are sick. Reducing congestion flare-ups, the need for antibiotics and overall making it easier to breath. Studies show beach environments can promote regular physical exercise. This is why doctors recommend participating in activities like surfing and swimming for a healthy lifestyle.

Salty air and water can also do wonders on physical ailments by reducing swelling, irritation, and infection. Ocean water can offer a better healing environment for any lacerations, acne, or any other openings in the skin. (Even if you run in and directly out of the water is equivalent to rinsing out your cuts. It even may make you more attractive by helping out the acne on your skin heal.

Vitamin D and Magnesium!

Did you know that 75% of Americans do not absorb the recommended amount of Vitamin D? Web MD states, "Vitamin D deficiency has now been linked to breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and other maladies. These studies show that people with higher levels of vitamin D have a lower risk of disease..." The "sunshine vitamin" is reaps many amazing benefits on its' own like reducing depression and promoting weight loss by suppressing appetites. Overall, studies show people who absorb more vitamin D into their bodies are much happier and healthier than those who absorb less.

Magnesium is another major element that gets infused with the skin when you are at the beach or near the ocean. Magnesium is crucial for muscle function. It's also one of the elements extracted from ocean organisms for marine based medication. There are many vitamins and minerals which contribute to the ocean's curative powers including the "awe chemical."

2) Mental Benefits

Since the ocean and beach environment is associated with calmness and often releases the "awe chemical" in your brain, it's often becomes a comfort zone. The ocean gives you a strong sense of calmness you may genuinely need when events in their lives are not so calm due to certain mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. When humans sink into their comfort zone, you may also experience less stress, an increase of physical energy, hormone balance and all-embracing happiness.

If you are visiting the ocean side, spending time relaxing on the sand, getting in the water, and even participating in water-related activities, you are going to start feeling a bit more emotionally stable. Even the scent of the ocean water and the scent of the clean sand is something that can make you feel better.

Overall, the ocean can help us to lead healthy and happy lives in a multitude of ways. No wonder mother nature has filled itself with 75% water than with land.

Long live the ocean!