Good news, Venturans. By deciding to live in this city, you’ve done some good for your mental health. A recent survey found that people who live close to a body of water have fewer mental challenges like depression.
It’s not super surprising, really. People seek out white noise machines that can mimic the sound of the waves and we make sandboxes to simulate the fun of being at the beach for our kids.
We’re onto something there. There’s a connection between the ocean and mental health. Let’s take a look at three of the mental health benefits you get from spending time by the water.
#1: Less stress
Studies link spending time looking at the ocean with less physiological distress. And if you’ve ever gone and sat on the beach after a hard day, you probably already know that’s true. Spending time taking in the expanse of water — what scientists call blue space — affects the way you feel in a positive way.
When you spend time by the ocean and your mental health is feeling a little shaky, take a few deep breaths there. In addition to getting mental health support from the surrounding blue space, the sound of the crashing waves can help you feel calmer.
#2: More energy
The ocean’s waves produce negative ions, or atoms with a net negative electrical charge. These negative ions increase oxygen flow to your brain, helping you feel more alert and energized. In short, a trip to the beach can give you a boost in energy not unlike a cup of coffee — without the jitters later.
In fact, some researchers have found that spending time by the ocean helps people sleep. With a better night’s rest, you can keep the increased energy rolling.
#3: More grounding
We spend a lot of time wearing shoes. But the beach is different.
There, we’re usually barefoot. And that gives us the opportunity to ground. Grounding happens when your body has the chance to electrically reconnect with the earth. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually as simple as touching your skin to something in nature.
At the beach, that’s sand. Studies have shown that touching the earth can help to restore your body’s natural defense systems, alleviate certain types of pain and inflammation, and help to ease stress, fatigue, and depression.
Between grounding your toes in the sand, taking in the blue space and the sound of the waves, and soaking up the negative ions, it’s no surprise the ocean and mental health are connected. And, in Ventura, we have easy access to this free, natural resource any time we need a boost.
This is just one mental health resource available to you. If you want to learn about more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center.
