You may have your diet on-point and your supplements carefully chosen, but have you ever considered that the things that truly keep us well may be found beyond the realms of the kitchen or supplement cabinet? Indeed, we all need nutrients like vitamin D, B vitamins and vitamin C to function well, but there’s one vitamin that can truly serve us physically, mentally and emotionally; vitamin sea.
Have you ever wondered why you feel so good when you’re by the sea? Yes, it could be the sunshine and fresh air, but research shows there are incredible benefits when it comes to spending time by (and in) the sea. Read on to discover 5 benefits of getting your vitamin sea!
Listening To Waves Relaxes The Brain
Imagine reclining on a sun bed at the beach, eyes closed and only the sound of the sea to soothe you. Simply imagining this scene can be enough to reduce stress hormones! If you often visualise being by the sea to help yourself relax, it’s time to start imagining the sound of the waves too, because the researchers have found that the rhythmic sound of waves creates a consistent, soothing background noise that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Further research even reveals that our brains are hard-wired to react positively to water, and that being close to it can bring a sense of renewed perspective and insight.
Minerals In The Sea Nourish The Body
There’s nothing quite like a dip in the sea to wash away the day’s worries, but physically, sea water can benefit us too. Whilst the salt acts as a natural exfoliator to scrub away dead skin cells and blocked pores, there are a host of other minerals in the sea that hold huge benefits too, such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Sea water is also thought to help certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Cold Water Swimming Can Help Reduce Stress And Enhance Resilience
Cold water immersion has become more popular over the last few years as more of us have heard about the profound benefits of it. Whilst taking a plunge in an ice bath is one way to get the benefits of cold immersion, sea swimming is a natural and effective way to give yourself all the benefits of cold therapy, including enhanced mindfulness, improved circulation, greater resilience to stress, reduced anxiety, heightened focus, a stronger immune system, and a boost for the metabolism. With more and more sea swimming groups popping up all over the country, joining in with a cold water dip can also be a great way to connect to your community too. Always ensure the water you’re swimming in is safe before you enter.
Being By (And In) The Sea Raises Happy Hormones
As well as improving our physical health, immersing yourself in the salty sea also has the ability to flood the body with ‘happy hormones’ like endorphins and dopamine. Even spending time sitting at the beach can encourage the body to decrease cortisol (often known as the ‘stress hormone’), increase oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’), and help us shift out of ‘fight or flight’ and into the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system. With so many of us living in a constant state of stress and overwhelm today, spending a little time at the beach regularly can go a long way towards restoring our bodies and minds.
Breathing Sea Air Could Help You Sleep
Do you feel like you sleep better after a day at the beach? A study in the UK showed that walking by the sea helped people sleep on average 47 minutes longer, whereas those who took a walk away from the beach only slept 12 minutes longer. Part of the reason sea air helps us sleep better is because it’s full of negative ions, which help the body take in more oxygen, balancing serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps us feel calm, relaxed and happy, and when we’re breathing sea air with those negative ions, it contributes to restful, deep and peaceful sleep.
Now you know the benefits of being by the beach for the body and mind, when will you get your next dose of vitamin sea?
