“It is incredible how it resets me”, “all my sorrows in front of the sea go away” or “I just need to see the water”. Do these statements ring a bell?
The sea has magic. You know that it makes you happy, but you may not know that its benefits are not limited to one emotion. It's not up to you, it's science that confirms that 'ionization' is behind all the good that the sea does for you and that this place hooks you like no other.
Does it also happen to you that you have ended up accepting mental saturation, fatigue for no apparent reason and headaches and muscle aches as collateral damage of modern life? Well, don't kid yourself, feeling like this is not normal.
Behind that "I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm not well" that, unfortunately, you know so well, there is an excess of positive ions. If you also live in a city, it is easy to be aggravated by pollution and noise and that all this will drain your internal battery.
And it is that the air is made up of atoms. At the center of each atom are protons, which are positively charged, and electrons, which are negatively charged. To be contrary, positive ions (protons) charge us with negative energy and vice versa.
To understand each other, if we were talking about a cops and robbers movie, the negatives would be the good ones and the positives the bad ones.
Each negative ion —also called anion— is an atom or group of atoms that have won the battle against one or more potrons, thus acquiring a negative electrical charge.
They are invisible. They have neither smell nor taste, and nature is the best place to find them. Natural physical phenomena such as rain, waterfalls and fountains are his favorites, but the seashore is undoubtedly his home.
You don't even see them, but through your skin and breath you absorb these microscopic molecules on a daily basis. This is how they reach your body and produce very interesting biochemical reactions for your emotional well-being.
They could well be compared to the effects of an anxiolytic. Only that it is totally natural and without side effects.
As if that were not enough, the sand is also negatively charged, which is why walking barefoot on the beach scores double. To give you an idea, on the coast the concentration is around 2,000 negative ions per cubic meter.
In a city it does not reach 100. And in a normal home without ventilation, only a few dozen. To add insult to injury, household appliances, mobile devices, synthetic rugs, and plastic materials increase positive ("bad") ions.
Now do you understand why getting away to nature makes you feel so good?
Different studies confirm that negative ionization increases serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter that helps the body manage stress and improves mood.
Well, the benefits of having the sea nearby do not end here. Negative ionization causes levels of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase to rise.
Do you know what effect this powerful natural antioxidant has? Well, it repairs the cells of your face, reduces the damage caused by free radicals in your skin and causes a 'good face' effect.
So not only do you feel better, but your skin is better. As if that were not enough, this enzyme favors the elimination of impurities from the air, responsible for respiratory problems such as allergies, bronchitis or asthma. Does anyone give more?
Yes. Having the sea nearby makes you breathe better, strengthens your immune system and makes it easier to sleep and rest.
What happens if you are not lucky enough to live near the sea or the possibility of enjoying it whenever you want? Quiet, a forest, the mountain or even a nearby park or garden are another option.
The key is to surround yourself with greenery and nature to fill you with vital energy, let creativity flow and you feel better about yourself thanks to the negative ions.
And remember to open the window of your home when it rains, especially after a storm. The rain also contains negative ions, so when the sky discharges, take advantage of opening the window to purify the environment and refresh it.
Having plants at home will also help you create an atmosphere of calm and well-being in your home.
Text Verónica Martín / Photography Helena Cornet