The Healing Power of Ocean

It is estimated that oceans absorb one-third of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans. There's nothing better than taking a walk on the sand or a dip in the ocean. You may not be aware of the health advantages of living near the beach, but there are many.

The ocean is home to many solitary caverns.

Isolated and deep in thought;

Though the waves may be raging, there is no need to worry

There is nothing underneath them.

The companion of Voyager, Nathaniel Hawthorne

We spend our days gazing out over its vast expanses, our weekends exercising along its banks, and our vacations spent there. What is it about the ocean that soothes and enthralls us, with half of the world's population living near it?

There was a time when people didn't rush to the water, though. A senior research associate at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, explains how the sea was seen as a terrifying realm filled with monsters and capable of flooding the land as far back as the seventeenth century. When the heat was unbearable, only peasants made their way inside.

During the 18th century, this began to alter. Fever, gastrointestinal issues, mental tics and melancholy were among the diseases that upper-class Britons were hunting for cures for at this time. As a result of the shock, the body was thought to be stimulated, increasing the flow of the humours and reducing tumors. By the mid-18th century, society women were routinely dunked in the water in a flannel smock until the cold and suffocation drove them to fear over the procedure. A cup of tea and a back massage were then given to help them recover from their exhaustion. Anxiety and imbalance were supposed to be alleviated by this. In other cases, people even drank the saltwater straight, without adding any sugar or dilution.

Although they may have been a little naive about drinking seawater, those 18th century doctors were on the right track when they advocated the sea as a source of healing. Science now supports the sea's healing powers both physically and emotionally.

Ocean and human body are inseparable

The sea's rich mineral content is regarded to be beneficial to the skin and overall health. Seawater has greater quantities of minerals including magnesium, calcium, sodium, sulfate, and chloride, which may be beneficial for a variety of skin problems, including eczema and psoriasis. For those with sinusitis, rinsing your nose with saltwater may help alleviate symptoms.

To stimulate the receptors beneath the skin that release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to increase feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, frequent swimming in icy water has also been shown to boost immunity.

"Thalassotherapy," which means "thalassa" in Greek and meaning "sea," refers to therapies including saltwater as well as seaweed, mud, and sand. A physician supervision may be required for the treatment, which should take place at or near the seaside. Iodine, manganese, zinc and iron from seaweed powder are supposed to better enter into the skin and body when heated to 33-37 degrees Celsius, boosting oxygen supply, activating lymphatics and immunity as well as the muscular system and detoxifying and decreasing inflammation. In fibromyalgia[i], research shows that thalassotherapy and geothermal seawater help pain and sleep, whereas psoriasis improves with thalassotherapy.

Phytoplankton in the water provide 50 to 85 percent of the world's oxygen, thus we must not overlook this fact. When we're near the water, we're likely to feel more energized because of the increase in our oxygen supply. Since 1970, the amount of oxygen in the oceans has decreased by 2% globally and 40% in certain locations, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by global warming.

Our mood and the ocean's

There is a plethora of research showing that spending time near the beach helps ease mental health difficulties and promotes a peaceful, good mental state.

ospective and self-referential in nature. In many cases, the sensation of closeness may inspire new ideas."

Brain imaging tests have shown that people's thoughts wander more when they gaze out towards the ocean, according to unpublished findings. What we're seeing, if anything, is a lot less brain activity when [images of the water are exhibited]," said Dr. Mathew White of the University of Exeter to BBC News. The fact that our brain activity decreases as we gaze at the water is maybe not surprising.

Sound

There's something calming about the sound of running water. At Pennsylvania State University, Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of bio-behavioral health studies, explains why this is. Compared to an abrupt rise in loudness like an alarm or scream, the calm crescendo of waves crashing is far more soothing and soothing in its gradualism. People are more likely to be awakened from slumber by a sound that is unexpected and unexpectedly loud, even if the sound itself is faint. The water, on the other hand, seldom makes a startling noise. That sounds like the water is shouting "Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry," and these non-threatening noises relax people, as Orfeu explains.

Various programs for ocean treatment are available.

It's no surprise that many are turning to the water as a kind of treatment, given its calming properties. Carly Rogers, a University of Southern California graduate student and Los Angeles lifeguard, started an Ocean Therapy club in 2003 to teach troops how to surf and then have group discussions. Ocean therapy has already been used to treat more than a thousand troops with post-traumatic stress disorder

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy released a paper on the program in 2014 that Rogers was a part of. There were no significant differences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression symptoms among the 11 war veterans who completed the research. Over the course of five weeks, I surfed just four or five times.

A surfer and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Josh Izenberg, has examined the efficacy of "surf therapy" to help with PTSD in his documentary, Resurface. Psychology Today interviewed him and asked him why he feels surf therapy is so beneficial. Cathartic: He claims that by placing bad sentiments in the perspective of something much larger and more powerful, the ocean is able to remove them from the mind. Getting into "the zone," as he calls it, allows you to let go of the stresses of everyday life. It jolts your senses and pumps up your heart rate. This adrenaline offers a feeling of freshness and excitement that is lacking in civilian life for veterans. Surfing, according to him, is also physically taxing, so it may help veterans sleep better at night, which is a significant advantage if you're prone to insomnia or night terrors like he is.

These surf therapy programs may be found here in Australia: For people with autism, Western Australia's Ocean Heroes employs surfing as a kind of rehabilitation. Those with mental health concerns, solitude, and impairments in Victoria may benefit from Ocean Mind's surf therapy program. Finally, in New South Wales, Waves of Wellness offers surf therapy for those with mental health difficulties who need it.

So, now that you've read this, you'll know that the ocean's call isn't simply a figment of your mind. You're getting a lot of benefit from spending time in the water.

Going to the beach to get your bearings

Use all of your senses while you're near the water. Start by naming the things you can see, such as the golden beach, the sunshine reflecting off the lake, and the soaring seagulls. Observe a variety of sounds, such as the crashing of waves on the coast. What can you smell? Why not breathe in some of that fresh sea air? Then, what can you feel with your hands? You feel the sun's rays on your skin, don't you? Is there a cool wind caressing your brow? While doing this, it's beneficial to keep your attention on the pleasant feelings you're experiencing. When you use your senses in this manner, you become more present and grounded.

When you can't go to the sea,

The health advantages of living near the water aren't limited to those who do. You may decorate your house with paintings of the ocean or listen to the sound of waves while you sleep. Sleepo, for example, is an app that does this.

The sea's soothing impact may also be accessed via imagination. Here is a challenge for you: For your ocean experience, think of a cue word. "Ocean" or "peace" are possibilities. Simply shut your eyes and let yourself to be in the moment. Imagine yourself on the beach and walk through each of your senses as if you were standing there. What do you see up front? Is there anything you can hear, smell, or feel? Take note of how you feel while you're there, as well as where in your body those feelings are felt. Some people report feeling more buoyant in their chests, while others report feeling more comfortable in their shoulders. Your body's pleasant feelings should be amplified. Make it a 10/10 if it was a 6/10. Afterwards, return to the beach and reawaken your senses, this time enhancing the brightness, clarity, and realism of your surroundings. This imagery should be practiced twice or three times, and then used anytime you want to re-enter the water.