Month: October 2019

Here’s How You Can Be A Responsible Beach-Goer

Since beaches are a top tourist destination, it’s impossible not to attract big crowds, especially come summertime. With this, it also becomes increasingly challenging to maintain our environment. Given that, travelers should make it a point to preserve the current beauty we are enjoying.

Take a look at these simple tips you can do for your next beach trip.

Source: pexels.com

  1. Throw Your Trash Properly.

The number one culprit for beach degradation is the accumulation of trash from tourists. Nobody is going to clean up after you. Do not just throw your trash around, no matter how small it is. If possible, put it in your pocket or your bag until you find a proper place to throw it. The most important rule when going to the beach is to always clean up after yourself.

  1. Avoid Using Plastic.

Chances are, the plastic you use will be left lying around the beachside or will get into the ocean itself. Instead of plastic, try switching to better options like metal straws, eco-bags, or reusable cups.

Source: better.net

Straws are also one of the biggest enemies of sea creatures. Unless you are incapable of drinking from a cup, straws are unnecessary. Like plastic or PET bottles, fishes or turtles can mistake straws for food. Thus, straws and plastics are life-threatening wastes for sea animals. In any case, avoid bringing non-recyclable things to the beach as much as possible.

  1. Don’t Bring Home Shells Or Sand.

It’s tempting to bring home natural collectibles. But when you take shells or sand from the beach, you are taking away things that make it healthy. You might think it does not affect the environment, but studies show that it does harm the beach and marine ecosystem. You can still touch them, but it’s best to leave them where they belong—on the beach.

Source: pixabay.com

  1. Be Sensitive To Other Beach-Goers.

You are not the only tourist in the area. Just like you, other beach-goers go to the beach to relax and enjoy peacefully. Do not do anything that might disrupt their peace, like playing music on a very high volume, for example. Also, make sure to keep your children and pets at bay so that they don’t disturb other people or cause any other mishap.

  1. Use Environment-Friendly Products.

You need to check the ingredients of the products you are using so that you know which can easily get washed off by seawater. For example, lotions and oils which contain oxybenzone can harm the internal structure of corals and cause coral bleaching. For this, you might want to use organic sunscreens that contain no harmful chemicals. Doing so can help minimize this unwanted effect from happening.

  1. Spread The Word.

Now that you know the extra measures you can take to be a more responsible beach-goer, you must now tell other people too. Traveling certainly gives you the chance to see the world and experience its beauty. Hopefully, with adequate knowledge and proper education, we can help save our seas. That way, generations to come can experience their beauty as well.

Here’s to making your future beach trips more fruitful. Safe travels!

Mental Health Benefits Of Going To The Beach

It is not a coincidence that people want to go to the beach after a long day of work or stress. Beaches are calming and give you the feeling of being reconnected with nature. So what does the vitamin sea offer to our mental health?

Stress Reliever

Most BetterHelp experts believe that going to the beach can relieve you from stress because the sound of waves, the light, and the scent of the ocean are calming. The sound of the waves is often used to induce sleep. Additionally, going to the beach also means being exposed to natural light. This natural light helps alleviate stress and calm the mind. As Jessica Harris, LCPC, LPC explains, “Everyone handles positive and negative stress differently. And yes, for some, positive stress can lead to a negative response to stress, depending on the situation.”

That is why most people choose to spend their vacation at the beach. Serotonin, a hormone responsible for happiness, is released whenever people spend their time at the beach. There is also a scientific report that people who live near the beach area are in a healthier mental state than those who do not.

Relaxation

An important thing that a trip to the beach brings is fresh and clean air. People can relax when they are on the beach because it is easier to breathe there. The wind on the beach contains negative ions which aid in trouble-free breathing. People who have trouble breathing have a different experience whenever they visit a beach.

Being around people who are also enjoying the calm brought by the beach is also a factor why visiting a beach can be relaxing. When you are out in the open, seeing kids build sandcastles and people enjoying the waves can help you realize that life can be enjoyable.

Even a simple walk by the shore is more relaxing than a walk in the city. The feeling of sand on your feet and the clean air contribute to the relaxing ambiance of a beach. This relaxing feeling helps clear your mind from negative thoughts.

Meditation

Meditations work best when performed on the beach. The sound of the crashing waves, the fresh air, and the feeling of sand on your body can put you in a meditative state. Going to the beach can help you find happiness in solitude. It will also block any negative thoughts that may have been bothering you. “Look at negative thoughts like reruns of a TV show you’ve seen a million times. Let them play in the background while you shift your focus to something else.” explains Jo Eckler, PsyD.

Meditation can also help you reexamine your perspectives in life as it boosts your self-awareness. Are you healthily living your life? This reexamination of your life can help you achieve a healthier mental state. This connection with nature and yourself can bring catharsis to your life.

Healthier Mental State

Going to the beach offers a lot of positive contributions to a person’s mental health. It can be a stress reliever, a relaxation venture, or a place to meditate. Thus, it is not surprising that more people are deciding to build houses in coastal areas. That way, they can always feel relaxed and connected to nature. “Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state.” Richard Shuster, PsyD said.

Are you ready to go on an adventure that is good for your mental health? Good luck with your next dose of vitamin sea! We hope you get the best out of your much-needed break. You deserve that overall wellness.

Why Being Near Bodies Of Water Makes Us Happier

There is a reason why travel advertisements always use pictures of beaches. Indeed, it is almost impossible to resist an exquisite water view. Environmental and psychological do not miss the allure. With growing research on the subject, there is now scientific evidence that being near a “blue space” can be great for our mental health.

Source: pixabay.com

What Is The “Blue Space”?

Blue spaces are natural aquatic places like lakes, rivers, beaches, or coastal waters. We feel so drawn to them because we want to rest or relax. When we go to the beach, we are not spending most of our time sunbathing or swimming. Instead, we enjoy activities as simple as walking along the shore.

Most of the explanation goes back to the basics: the effect of colors on our mood. Blue often induces feelings of calmness and serenity. Many people also favor it since it is a non-threatening color and a sign of stability and tranquility. Consistent with this, staring at the ocean or other bodies of water can change our brain waves’ frequency, putting us into a mild meditative state.

“Nature-based/experiential interventions produce increased treatment success more rapidly than traditional talk approaches. There is a relationship between humans who connect with and spend time in nature and increased environmental awareness or stewardship.” –Dr. Carlene Taylor, LMHC, LPC, CPCS, NCC

Many people, including poets, painters, or sailors, have all attested to feeling at peace when they’re near water. Now, even scientists are acknowledging the positive cognitive effects of water. It turns out that people living near coastlines have an improved sense of mental and physical well-being. Reportedly, blue spaces induce a meditative feeling which makes people feel happier, calmer, and even more creative.

Source: nbcnews.com

How Does This Happen?

The explanation for the effect of the so-called blue space is mostly psychology. BetterHelp psychologists argue that water serves as the antidote to a “red mind,” a state of anxiety caused by several factors. One of these is increasing urbanization and the advancement of technology. It turns out that being in front of the screen all the time has increased stress levels for humans dramatically. As Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist said, “We don’t always know causation in psychology — especially without being able to measure something for a long time — but there are a lot of correlational studies that are pointing to social media and digital phone use,”

Therefore, spending significant time around oceans, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, or even showers can counter this state of anxiety. Water is the source of life since it covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. Science shows that there is a deep connection triggered in our brains when we are near water. Even just the sight or sound of water can already induce chemicals in our brain. These chemicals promote wellness. Thanks to science, we can now connect the dots on why a feeling of relaxation washes over us when we are around water.

Source:peninsula.co.in

Final Thoughts

When we buy houses or spend so much on traveling to water bodies, we are paying for the uplifting feeling they give. Considering the deep-seated connection between the mind and the water, community planners are now incorporating this in their plans. Who wouldn’t want to have a piece of relaxation in urbanized places, right?

“Research shows the biggest boost in happiness comes from planning the vacation.” Shannon Torberg, PsyD, LP saID. So, the next time you plan a trip, be sure to soak in the view, smell the ocean air, and feel everything from the sun to the water. To maximize the peaceful effect, be more aware of your senses. If you can, take a moment to be with nature. Say goodbye to your phone for a few hours since it might distract you from exercising mindfulness. Who knows, you might go back from your trip as a whole new different person!