Why your body needs the beach
The Science and the Soul of the Sea’s Healing Embrace
Our ancestors knew the ocean’s waves could heal and soothe, a truth your body still craves. When your toes sink into warm sand, waves hum, and salty air surrounds you, something shifts—like your soul finally breathes. If you’ve felt it, you know.
For me, the ocean is home. Growing up in Florida, my childhood was woven with sandy shoes, sun-kissed skin, and Gulf sunsets with family. In college, I’d run to the shore when life got heavy, drawn to its calm. During my DNP schooling in Sarasota, steps from the sea, the ocean became my sanctuary. That season woke me up. I dove into books blending science and soul, sparking my vision for Dr. Brooke Collective: helping you heal from within.
One song held me: Oceans by Hillsong United. It was the soundtrack of my awakening, urging me to trust the deeper call. Even now, it pulls me back to that version of myself, standing in the surf, learning to hear my inner knowing.
As a dermatology nurse practitioner, I’ve learned your body needs the ocean—not just for your spirit, but for your biology. Here’s why:
1. Grounding: Your Body’s Earth Connection
When your bare feet touch wet sand, you’re grounding. Studies show this absorbs the earth’s negative ions, lowering inflammation markers and boosting heart rate variability, aligning you with nature’s pulse. It helps:
Ease inflammation
Reduce cortisol
Lift mood and sleep
Calm your nervous system
I share more in my barefoot biohacking post, where I sneak five minutes of morning sun with my kids (pro tip: hugging a tree works too). At the ocean, seawater supercharges grounding, resetting your nervous system. Bonus points if you’re holding a seashell—it’s like holding the ocean’s heartbeat.
2. Magnesium: The Relaxation Your Body Lacks
Seawater is rich in magnesium, a mineral over half of us are missing. Research confirms your skin soaks it up while swimming, fueling this “relaxation mineral” to:
Soothe anxiety and stress
Relax muscles
Stabilize blood pressure
Deepen sleep
Support your nervous system
That post-ocean glow, like a full-body massage? It’s the sea’s mineral magic at work.
3. Vitamin D: The Sun Your Body Needs (Safely)
As a dermatology NP, I champion the sun’s benefits with limits. Sunlight triggers vitamin D, which powers:
Strong bones and immunity
Mood through serotonin
Less inflammation
But over 30 minutes of direct sun raises skin cancer risk, so I cap it there. Pro tip from my barefoot biohacking post: catch the first morning sun within 30 minutes of dawn. Studies show this syncs your circadian clock, signaling skin to adapt to UV and reducing burn risk. It’s nature’s sunscreen prep—just layer on mineral-based SPF (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) for safe protection.
4. The Ocean’s Calming Power
The ocean is a biohacking haven:
Saltwater heals skin and clears blemishes
Negative ions from waves boost serotonin, easing depression
Wave sounds speed stress recovery
Nature immersion cuts stress hormones
The waves’ rhythm shifts your brain to a parasympathetic state—rest, repair, renewal. While getting my DNP degree , I’d bring my laptop and study notes to the beach. The ocean’s calm sharpened my focus and locked in info, a secret our ancestors knew: nature boosts clarity.
5. Not a Want—It’s a Need
We’re taught rest is a luxury, but it’s essential. Your body needs breaks. Your spirit needs connection. The ocean delivers both, echoing our ancestors’ trust in nature’s healing.
If the ocean’s calling, go. It’s not indulgence—it’s instinct. Your body knows what it needs.
No coast nearby? Head to a lake—its gentle ripples and natural calm tap into that same ancestral peace. Or try an Epsom salt bath (magnesium sulfate) with a wave-sound playlist. Your nervous system will thank you.
So, when’s the last time the ocean called you? How do you soak in its healing?
