I love the beach.

It’s my refuge. The ocean has an intense healing effect on me.

Living up in the Canadian mountains for the past year has made me realise just how important the ocean is to me. I now have a deeper appreciation for all things sandy and salty.

Yesterday I walked along the beach for two hours, shoes in hand, feet in the shallows, strolling along in the sunshine. I love collecting beach treasures (see below!) and looking out over the endless water on the horizon. It’s one of my favourite things in the world.

I have always been a ‘water baby’. My sister and I grew up coming to the coast most weekends with my family, snorkelling, swimming and exploring the sea shore. I remember my Dad patting sting rays, and coaxing octopus out of their hiding holes to show to us. Then, as soon as I was old enough I started scuba diving. Wow, what an incredible experience that is – to be part of the under water world. Diving needs a whole other post!

The fondest memories of my life revolve around something water based. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to water by something bigger than myself.

Life is good when my feet are in the sand and salt is in my hair.

I often feel land-locked when I’m away from water for long periods of time. A certain claustraphobia slowly takes its gripp on me – even in the vastest of open country sides. When I return back to the ocean, I feel like I can breathe again.

I have been told by spiritual healers that I have a strong connection with the ocean. They speak of past lives, dolphins, and mermaid energies. So perhaps at one point I was a mermaid, dancing under the ocean waves with the creatures of the sea. It sounds pretty cool to me. I don’t know if it’s true, but what I do know, is that I feel great when I’m at the ocean.

Close your eyes and think of how relaxed you feel surrounded by the ocean, walking barefoot on the sandy shore, the foamy waves lapping at your feet, hearing the rhythm of the crashing waves, and smelling the salty air. . . The stress of everyday life just seems to melt away.

It’s no wonder water has a soothing, calming effect on our bodies and minds: (1) We are made up of water, over two-thirds of our body is water, (2) Even our bones are composed of more than 20% water! (3) Every living thing has water, and we need water to survive. Yup, water is kind of a big deal.

“The beneficial qualities of seawater have been known to mankind for centuries and have been noted as having a great healing effect. Sea water contains many minerals needed by your body to help heal and detoxify.” – Aqua For Balance, water-based wellness.

Not convinced? Check out these natural healing properties of the ocean – 3 more reasons to get your butt to the beach:

• sound of ocean waves – researchers have discovered that the sound of waves actually alters the wave patterns in the brain, soothing you into a deeply calm and relaxed state. Relaxing in this way can help revitalise your mind and your body.

• salt water – sea water contains about 3.5% by weight of salt (sodium chloride). 83 elements of the periodic table, biologically available, are found in sea water. Ninety nine percent of the mineral salts in sea water are composed of five main elements: chlorine, sodium, sulphur, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

• sea air – Sea air is full of healthy negative ions, charged particles which improve our ability to absorb oxygen by neutralising damaging free radicals (positive ions). Negative ions also help balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical associated with mood and stress. That is why a day at the beach leaves you feeling not only more alert and energised, but also deeply relaxed and able to sleep more soundly.

That’s some pretty amazing benefits just from a simple trip to the beach!

I know that when my life gets crazy, and I’m feeling disconnected – that a trip to the ocean is the only prescription I need.

Just me and the water. It’s my favourite form of meditation.

What is your natural healer?

It may be the mountains, the open country side, a peaceful park, or your own garden.

When did you last take the time to heal yourself in nature?