By: @emma.walsh
Author Isak Dinesen famously said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." We all know that staying active and releasing emotions is vital for our health—and as someone who grew up on the coast going to the beach year round, I also believe in the ocean’s multifaceted healing abilities. From soothing dry skin and acne, to boosting the immune system, to calming anxiety—here are seven benefits of ocean water:
Rich in Minerals that Aid Bodily Functions
Sea salt is abundant in magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, iodine, sodium, and iron. When you swim in the ocean, you are immersed in these beneficial minerals. These aid essential bodily functions like hydration, digestion, blood pressure, and the reduction of inflammation.
Cleanses Your Skin
Mineral salts such as sodium and iodine give ocean water its natural antiseptic properties. This can help with cleansing and healing wounds, and even improving acne.
Strengthens the Immune System
Salt water can strengthen the immune system, as the number of red blood cells and white blood cells increases between 5 to 20% percent after swimming in cold water. This makes the ocean an ideal environment for people who have a weakened immune system.
Soothes Skin
Mineral-rich salt water also has natural healing properties that soothe dry, sensitive complexions.
Physical and Mental Health
The ocean benefits both your physical and mental health. Exercising in natural environments like the beach has been shown to have greater benefits for mental health than exercising inside. This is because the physical and mental health benefits of exercise couple with nature’s restorative effects create a beneficial mind and body experience.
References
Nani, S. Z., et al. (2016). Potential health benefits of deep sea water: A review. https://www.hindawi.com/
Chandrasekaran, N. C., et al. (2016). Permeation of topically applied magnesium ions through human skin is facilitated by hair follicles. https://magnesium-health-
Saavedra, C. (2020). Balneotherapy. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/
Ahmad, Bilal, et al. “Oceans as a Source of Immunotherapy.” Marine Drugs, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 May 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/