| "While part of the euphoria is simply being around these wondrous settings and away from the normal pressures of home and work, the air circulating in the mountains and the beach is said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions." | Once I had been sick all on an off-season visit to our house in Lewes, Delaware. We were down for the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach. I was concerned that the pain in my gut was going to send me to the ER. But we headed out anyway with our Beagle ready for the Costumed Pet Parade. We were a tad late, so dear husband and the kids moved faster ahead of me. Down the sidewalk I trudged toward the Boardwalk. It was a glorious day of bright blue sky. But I didn’t know if I would be okay. I might have to go sit in the car. Or worse. Then something amazing happened. I hit the Boardwalk and rounded the corner toward our destination. The ocean air hit me and suddenly I felt fine. Maybe it was a coincidence. But I was feeling instantly better, and I was able to enjoy the day! |
As I felt better, I remembered what a good friend once told me: that the ocean’s action stirs up negative ions. So I googled this idea, and what do you know? The first link is to a WebMD article telling us what we instinctively already know. According to the article, "While part of the euphoria is simply being around these wondrous settings and away from the normal pressures of home and work, the air circulating in the mountains and the beach is said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions." And negatively charged ions are GOOD because they "are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy."
Besides the negative ion thing, I am sure that the solitude you feel on the beach in the off-season also has healing powers. When it is just me walking—no chair, no umbrella, no toys—I am uncluttered and my mind clears. Whatever was bothering me 5 minutes ago is on hold. It’s just me and the sea gulls facing the wind in their sentinel formation. Occasionally you find some wonder of nature that you might not get to enjoy during the busy summer months at the beach. Once we were thrilled to see a baby seal on the beach! The local marine mammal rescue people, MERR, were on hand to make sure no one bothered the little fellow. There are many migratory birds that you just won’t see in the summer. Plus your shell, beach glass, and beautiful rock lottery chances are much better when fewer people are playing on the beach.
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to go!
Besides the negative ion thing, I am sure that the solitude you feel on the beach in the off-season also has healing powers. When it is just me walking—no chair, no umbrella, no toys—I am uncluttered and my mind clears. Whatever was bothering me 5 minutes ago is on hold. It’s just me and the sea gulls facing the wind in their sentinel formation. Occasionally you find some wonder of nature that you might not get to enjoy during the busy summer months at the beach. Once we were thrilled to see a baby seal on the beach! The local marine mammal rescue people, MERR, were on hand to make sure no one bothered the little fellow. There are many migratory birds that you just won’t see in the summer. Plus your shell, beach glass, and beautiful rock lottery chances are much better when fewer people are playing on the beach.
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to go!
And here in Rehoboth Beach is a seal someone caught on video....not the one we saw though:
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