Not near a beach? That's okay! Listen to some waves and imagine the feeling until you can go to the beach.
Science says the surf and sand does the mind (and body) good. Here’s how to reap the benefits of all that 'vitamin sea.'
When it comes to why, exactly, the beach gets you feeling all Zen, there are a few factors at play, says Richard Shuster, PsyD, clinical psychologist and host of The Daily Helping podcast.
That consistent ebbing and flowing you hear as you lie on your towel under an umbrella? “It kind of de-stimulates our brains,” says Shuster. The noises — coupled with the visuals — activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is “responsible for slowing us down and allowing us to relax and feel more engaged,” says Sally Nazari, PsyD, owner of Chrysalis Psychological Services and host of the podcast Beyond the Couch.
What the beach does to your brain....