The health benefits of vitamin SEA

We are currently experiencing winter temperatures in New Zealand, where I live. Did you know there are multiple health benefits to spending time at the ocean during the colder months of the year? 

1) A trip to the coastline, warmly dressed, may assist in recovery from winter sniffles, as salt air can help clear sinus congestion. 

2) Our bodies can produce vitamin D from natural sunlight without needing regular ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ sunscreen to guard against high UV levels. Sunlight also releases serotonin in our bodies - a happy hormone - that regulates our mood, eases anxiety, and can help us feel calmer and more focused. 

3) For the hardy amongst you, two other happy hormones - endorphins and dopamine - are released with cold water immersion. Winter morning ocean dippers are not crazy; they are boosting their mental and physical health. Cold water temperature forces your heart to pump harder, which can improve circulation and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

4) The beach has a high concentration of negative ions. Negative air ions (NAIs) are good for us despite their name. We cannot see, feel, or smell them, but their presence improves our health and well-being. Research has shown they can help lift depressive feelings and relieve stress. 

Indoor environments have significantly fewer NAIs, and air conditioning systems, fluorescent lighting, and electronic devices further deplete their levels. Spending time outside in open and light spaces - which an ocean coastline provides - can help clear mental fog and refresh our perspective on how we feel.

5) ‘Blue-space’ wellness is now clinically recognised for its mental and physical health benefits. Wallace J. Nichols (Marine Biologist) has science-backed findings that being around water can be “medicine for the brain, lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol.” The gentle motion of lapping waves has your attention without requiring mental effort, allowing your brain to rest and recover. 

I love spending time at the beach and can definitely feel the positive effects of being surrounded by blue water, light, and negative ions. My coastal walk is often experienced as a way to ‘blow away the cobwebs.’ I have a walking buddy who joins me in all weather conditions. We always feel invigorated (and often soaked!) after a wild, wet, or windy beach walk.

If you need a mood boost today, bundle up the family, the dog, or the kite, and head to your local beach. Your wellbeing will thank you: mind, body, and soul. 

Trish