For a few months now, I have been having issues with depression more than I have in years. I have been sitting on the couch watching reality shows and doing the bare minimum to get through the day.
Then, I took a week-long beach vacation to Egypt. Being away from home was like pressing the reset button for my mental health. I love the ocean, and the last time I was at the beach was before the COVID pandemic.
There is just something about being able to put your feet in the sand and swim in that blue water that is healing. The sound of the waves can wash your troubles away. At least, it has always done so for me.
Finding a place that is your ‘happy place’ can help you find a way back to yourself again when you are struggling with your mental health. You may not be able to fly to another continent, but you can go out in your own garden, go to a community pool, or go for a walk by the river to calm your mind.
There is just something about flowing water that is calming and peaceful.
According to Sokya Health,
It’s true what they say: a room with a view really can help you feel less blue. More evidence is emerging that exposure to water — in person or virtually — has a positive and measurable effect on our mental, emotional and behavioral health. These ‘blue spaces’ are becoming a common way for people to alleviate their stress and achieve a state of inner calm.
For me, the sound of the waves is so rhythmic and peaceful. If you aren’t near the ocean, you can find videos on YouTube too with ocean sounds, or listen to calming tracks on your smartphone. These sounds can soothe and calm your soul, and help you feel more like yourself again.
Being in the sun is also good for your mental health, and summer is a great time to soak up some sunshine. You can learn some benefits of sunlight here:
The more you can get outside, the more you can do to recharge your mental batteries. Being in a calming, natural space can do wonders for your mental health and your spirit. It can help you feel alive again in ways that you had forgotten.
I hope that you are able to spend some time in the outdoors this week, and that it feeds your soul the way it does mine.
