The Science Behind Why The Beach Is So Calming

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m totally a beach girl. Born and raised in southern California, I was always at the beach. For some reason it just calms me down and when I manifest and journal at the beach, it’s like magic. I’ve often wondered if there was some science behind this, so I did some digging. This is what I found, and you may be surprised!

Staring at the ocean, the ebb and flow of the waves, actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state. Listening to the waves activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing us down and allowing us to relax and feel more engaged. In addition, the negative ions in the sea breeze have a mood-boosting effect while the color blue itself has been long associated with feelings of peace and calm and shown to enhance creativity.

See?! It’s science.

So how can we stay in the zone while we’re at the beach and maintain that sense of Zen? Say goodbye to Instagram (which I know is hard)! Instead, close your eyes and listen to the ocean waves rolling in and out. If you’re getting alerts from your phone, that’s going to detract from the experience, so turn that phone on silent, grab a book and/or take a nice nap. I love to just listen to the waves and take it all in when I am at the beach. It’s my “me time” and it should be yours too. Self-care is a must!

Also, be aware of your senses. Focus on how your body feels warm from the rays of the sun. Focus on what it feels like to have your feet in the sand. Breathe deeply and smell the ocean air. Maybe play a 15 minute meditation track and really get into that state. I’ve included some of my favorite beach pics from trips I’ve taken in this post. And I always say, “if you can’t find me, look for me on a beach first!”

Here are two of my FAVORITE hotels (one for each coast) with the best beachy vibes
-The Setai, Miami Beach
-Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club, Malibu

I know being out in nature is great for anyone’s mood, so leave a comment on my IG @AskHeatherMariannaBlog and let me know where your happy place is.

XOXO,
Heather