The summer season is the best time to spend time outside and visit the beach. The scorching sun makes it intolerable to stay in the city, but the crashing waves of the ocean make the sweltering heat easier to handle. The beach serves as a temporary solace, a relaxing spot where you can be carefree and enjoy yourself.
Yet, summer isn’t the only time where you can find the beach beneficial. Did you know that the beach can also serve as a place to combat stress? When you’re too overwhelmed with life and want to get away from everything, even for a little while, don’t think of other methods and head to the beach to regain your peaceful demeanor.
If you are wondering how this is so, here are four scientific reasons to visit the beach to combat stressful situations in life:
1. The crashing waves can induce a sense of calmness
One of the biggest reasons many people find the beach to be relaxing is due to the sounds of the waves. Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State, said that the “slow, whooshing noises are the sounds of non-threats, which is why they work to calm people. It’s like they’re saying: Don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry.” The sound of the crashing waves induces relaxation, helping you reach a meditative state and give your brain a rest from anything that troubles you.
2. The color of the ocean can boost creativity.
Do you know the feeling you get when your best ideas originate during a shower? The beach operates a similar way. “The shower is a proxy for the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean,” claims marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols. “You step in the shower, and you remove a lot of the visual stimulation of your day. Auditorially, it’s the same thing––it’s a steady stream of ‘blue noise.’ You’re not hearing voices or processing ideas. You step into the shower, and it’s like a mini-vacation.”
3. The texture of the sand offers a stimulating effect.
It may sound ridiculous at first, but going barefoot on the sand can actually help regulate cortisol, which is the body’s main stress hormone. This hormone also helps to reduce stress, improve sleep, and put your body into a restorative mode. The idea behind it is called “grounding,” and it’s all about being in contact with the earth. Research shows that the act of walking barefoot produces a bevy of physiological measures that improve your overall well-being.
4. The smell of saltwater can make you healthier.
If you’ve ever wondered why a single sniff of the ocean air has an instantaneous calming effect, know that it’s because of the high concentration of negative ions that float in it. These molecules are known to help revitalize your cells, purify the blood, and calm your brain. In 1932, research engineer Dr. Clarence Hansell found out that negative ions can lift an individual’s mood, and it can even mitigate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
At this point, you now know that going to the beach can positively impact your mental health. If you want to temporarily get away from life’s worries and burdens and de-stress, the Tubkaak Krabi Resort boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand and can serve as your oasis. Contact us today and see how we can best help you!