There’s just something about the ocean. Is it the sound? The scent? The sight? Maybe all of those things and more. It’s just relaxing to go to the beach during anytime of the year. Most people go in summer only, but I find the beach to be most glorious in the colder weather. There is no finer surf than what you will find at the beach in January or February, especially during a snowstorm. But I am a Mainer, and not everyone enjoys the cold as I do.
It could be the huge amount of negative ions in the air. Negative ions are invisible molecules in the
air that are most prevalent naturally around bodies of water, such as waterfalls
or the ocean. They are also plentiful
just after a rainstorm. Did you ever
notice that fresh and wonderful scent and feeling in the air after a good rain? Did you ever feel a calm come over you after
a storm? It’s not just
psychological. It’s negative ion magic
at work.
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| A magical November day on Popham Beach, Maine. |
An ion is a molecule that has gained or lost an electrical
charge, and this can occur with many things, especially moving water. The theory is that when the negative ions
reach our bloodstream, they produce biochemical reactions that increase levels
of serotonin, and this helps to alleviate depression and stress. University studies have shown that negative
ion generators can help relieve depression as much as antidepressants. Part of how they work is by increasing the
flow of oxygen to the brain, and this in turn gives us more energy and a
feeling of alertness. Some people call
them “vitamins of the air.”
Then, again, maybe it’s just the beach and the horses and a
magical cool November day.
(It’s important to note that grounded devices [such as
computer monitors] can produce positive ions, which counteract negative ions. As always, In Pursuit of Maine is a blog
about my experiences of Maine. If you want further information or analysis
or references, the internet beckons.)
