The Healing Properties of the Beach: Negative Ions for Health
As if we needed another reason to visit the beach, here we learn that it is good for our health! Let's see how by going back to chemistry, ions are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge. Negative ions are oxygen molecules with an extra negatively charged electron, while positive ions are molecules that have lost one or more electrons.
Translation to our health, negative ions are good for our health (seems counterintuitive) while positive ions are damaging to our health. Positive ions are produced by electrical equipment such as televisions, microwaves ovens, etc. The highest concentrations of positive ions exist in cities, crowded places, offices, industrial areas, schools, cars, etc.
Negative ions are naturally created by the water, air, sunlight and the Earth's natural radiation. The highest concentrations of negative ions are in nature, moutains, forests, waterfalls, beaches, oceans and are most prevalent around bodies of moving water. "The action of the pounding surf creates negative air ions and we also see it immediately after spring thunderstorms when people report lightened moods," says ion researcher Michael Terman, PhD, of Columbia University in New York.
Perhaps it is easier to understand the importance of negative ions if we can list some of their benefits.
Negative ions help to purify air by attaching to the positively charged electrons in bacteria, viruses, dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, cigarette smoke, etc.
Negative ions improve overall well-being by increasing serotonin release, which alleviates depression, stress and energy.
Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy," says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.
Negative ions help to revitalize cell metabolism.
Negative ions neutralize free radicals.
Negative ions help to improve the function of our respiratory tract therefore decreasing respiratory borne illness such as asthma, hay fever, colds, flus, etc.
Come and visit our center just 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean and Playa Pacha Mama. Sit on the beach under an almond tree and experience healing.