beach life = happy health

It’s instinctive. Let’s go to the beach. We have an inborn psychological & metaphysical need to be near the sea. After all, as we thrived before birth surrounded by water, what could be more natural then to live at the beach?

Consider these health benefits::
Sunshine
Sun, preferrably on the beach, helps prevent SAD, is essential for your body to manufacture Vitamin D, and helps heal various skin conditions. Sunshine Vitamin D (as Mom called it) is known to help protect your body from bone disease, diabetes, and possibly some cancers. It also is essential for an efficient immune system, calcium absorption, a healthy heart, and a happy nervous system.

Exercise

Have you seen those energetic beach runners, or even the peaceful walkers? What a great way to stay in shape…a soul enriching beach work out. Shifting sand creates a challenging traction. This requires muscle groups to work harder as you run or walk along the shore. Feeling the sand beneath your feet is an extra bonus. Yes, barefoot is optimal. Take your kids & doggie too! Never boring…swimming, any kind of surfing, boogie boarding, skim boarding, beach volleyball, throwing frisbies, etc.

great exercise + happy health for all ages.

Seawater and Sea Air...Good for Body and Soul.
Some people seek salt air therapy for their respiratory ailments. Fresh clean ocean air is amazing and irreplaceable. Research also discovered that the sound of waves alters the wave patterns in the brain, and soothes you into a deeply calm and peaceful sleep; the perfect way to revitalize your mind and your body. It’s no wonder that we always sleep more soundly after spending the day on the beach. The sea air is charged with healthy negative ions that increase our ability to absorb oxygen. These negative ions help balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical associated with mood and stress.

Sunlight can Improve Skin and Help Heal Skin Conditions
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Although common sense now tells you to avoid overexposure to the suns UV rays, some sun daily is essential for various skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis, and even acne. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light actually slows skin cell production, and reduces inflammation.

Seawater Benefits Health
For centuries, we have seen the beneficial qualities of seawater, and the great healing ability. The saltwater helps heal wounds, reduced infection and promotes pain relief. Did you know that the amount of magnesium in sea water is significant enough to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves? This is which why sea bathing is so relaxing. Potassium present in the sea water is absorbed through the skin, encouraging your body to get rid of excess water. Seawater actually contains all of the 89 known elements essential to our bodies, including osmium, gold, vanadium, zinc, and iodine. Bathing in seawater opens the pores, and helps to remove toxins by means of the lymph system. You’ll notice reduced swelling around the thighs, knees and ankles. Bathing in seawater also improves the skin’s elasticity, and improves its overall appearance.

Sun + Sound of Waves for Peaceful Relaxation

Another healthful benefit of living at the beach is the relaxing environment itself. Actually, the heat of the sun stimulates our endocrine system, releasing good natural chemicals such as endorphins. These feel good chemicals help to make us feel relaxed and less stressed. Researchers also discovered that the sound of waves alters the wave patterns in the brain, and soothes you into a deeply calm and peaceful sleep; the perfect way to revitalize your mind and your body. The strength of your grateful spirit resurfaces, and all good things are yours.

Sunshine, Seawater, Fresh Air, Sand

Health, Beauty, Peace, Happiness. Perfect.

It’s all at the BEACH!
Stay well. Be happy!

happy health

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1

~ It’s inevitable – school starts,

ushering in the cold and flu season.

Yuk.

The severity of each flu virus is fluid,

and the safety of the flu shot

is another discussion.

There are 99+ known cold viruses

Whether or not you get

one of the flu shots,

they are not 100% effective,

& they don't protect you from

any cold virus.

So, common sense tells you

that any steps to help prevent

you and your family from getting sick

should be practiced with care.

Here are a handful of

happy health tips

that should really be

part of everyone’s daily routine::

1) Wash your hands often.

One of the most common ways

people pick up a virus is by

rubbing their nose or their eyes

after their hands have been

contaminated with the nasty germs.

Remember to wash your hands especially:
>before, during, and after preparing food
>before eating
>after you use the bathroom
>after contact with animals or animal waste.

(pets have assorted bacteria.

reptiles are hot on the salmonella list.)
>anytime your hands are dirty. duh.

>Don’t forget right after school,

any shopping trip, the gym,

after eating at restaurants,

going to a show or mall,

or just hanging out with friends.
> more frequently if there is

somebody ill at home.
>and use disposable paper towels

in the bathroom when someone is sick.

2) Routinely clean toys and

other objects the little ones put

in their mouths with soap and hot water.

Disinfect surfaces that everyone touches::

door knobs, light switches, phones,

remotes, cabinet doors, ‘frige,

microwave, car door handles, steering wheel,

computer keyboard & mouse, etc.

It will help to wipe surfaces with paper towels or antimicrobial wipes that can be thrown away, or wash all cloth towels in hot water after using.

3) Immediately throw away tissues

used to wipe or blow the sick person’s nose.

Teach kids not to drop dirty tissues

all over the house.

4) Teach the family 'cough etiquette',

which the American Academy of Pediatrics

describes as teaching children to turn

their heads and cough or sneeze into a

disposable tissue or the inside of

their elbow (if no tissue).

NO coughing or sneezing directly

into hands. This ends up spreading germs

onto everything they touch.

5) Avoid exposing people

if you are sick; don't go to school,

daycare, work, social events, etc.

6) Avoid subjecting your kids to

unnecessary contact with a lot of people

in large crowds. You can’t always tell

when people are sick. People can be

contagious before they start showing

or feeling symptoms. Be smart – just don't

expose your younger kids to large

crowds of people if you don't have to.

7) Take your own personal reusable

water bottle to work or school,

instead of using a public water fountain,

which is probably swimming with germs,

especially during cold and flu season.

8) Replace all air or HVAC filters in your home

with good HEPA filters to help eliminate the

airborn gems around the house.

~ A few additional tips from Dr Mercola

(mercola.com)::

“Make choices that promote strong immune function. A few examples include: switching from coffee to tea consumption which has antibacterial and antiviral action; eating garlic liberally, for its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal activity; and adding yogurt to your diet as it sets up a beneficial situation in the colon, helping to strengthen this underpinning of good health.”

“Useful early homeopathic prevention includes the use of Oscillococcinum or other potentised flu products or Ferrum phos cell salt for early stages of feverish conditions. Sometimes these homeopathic medicines can stop an illness in the early stages.”

“As a prevention measure, take a good high potency multivitamin-mineral from a health food store, naturopathic physician or other natural health practitioner, daily, with at least 1000 mg. vitamin C, 50,000 IU vitamin A (unless pregnant), 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg. zinc and 25+ mg. of the B vitamins.”

“Take a long, hot bath with a teaspoon of added Eucalyptus or Thyme oil (unless you are taking homeopathic medicines). Towel-dry and then pop into bed for a deep rest.”

Eat healthy, drink plenty of pure water, get adequate rest, exercise, get a little sunshine. Stay well. Be happy!