Being by the sea can be one of Summer’s pleasures for many people. Some of us will hop on planes and seek the azure blues of overseas lapping waves and some of us will head to one of our own many coast lines, which of course there are many of in the UK. Either way there is something undeniably calming and rejuvenating by being by the sea. Of course this sea-seeking doesn’t need to be restricted to the Summer months only. There is also a relaxing and often excitingly bracing effect by being in the presence of a choppy or even stormy sea, more usual in the Winter months.
I am very much drawn to the different colours the sea can take on, depending on the weather, the light, the season and the time of day. A very clear blue sea with the midday sun, high in the sky sending rippled glistens of sunlight onto a calm sea is what I am craving right now. I think the recent warm weather has well and truly put me in the mood for some sun, sea and sand!
This craving has inspired the activity for July’s Calmly Create session. We will be painting sea shells and ice-cream inspired fridge magnets. For the session, I did some research on the wellbeing benefits to being by the sea. I was actually surprised by what I found out. Sea air is in fact packed with negative ions…
‘…which are plentiful in nature and offer a range of benefits – including, an improvement in mood. Once the ions reach your bloodstream, it is thought that they produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin – boosting energy levels, alleviating depression and low mood and can help to give you a good night’s sleep.’
This helped to explain why I often feel very sleepy after a walk at the seaside. I find it to be a sort of sleepy feeling that feels different to ‘normal’ sleepiness! This feeling is something I hope to discuss further with the members of Calmly Create this month, to hear about their experiences and effects on wellbeing they have felt by being by the sea. I look forward to sharing and hearing some stories, whilst getting on with some seaside-inspired painting.
Happy Creating!
Ruth x x x
Source: https://oceanconservationtrust.org/three-ways-being-in-on-or-near-the-ocean-can-benefit-you/
