Invigorate: The Ocean Revive

Burnout prevention is both physical and psychological. Beyond lifestyle design and re-wiring your brain, preventing burnout includes experiences of awe, playfulness, sheer delight, and connecting to something greater.

Wilderness experiences, including being on, in , or near the ocean, include both a physical and psychological recharge that can invigorate the otherwise exhausted body and mind.

For centuries, people have gone to the ocean to restore, recharge, re-vitalize. As well as the wellness science emerging about the power of salty waves, there are qualities to the open ocean waves that inspire our human senses beyond the data points.

SOMETHING GREATER

Before launching into the scientific data on how the ocean revives our bodies and brainwaves, take a moment to consider how the ocean taps us into a sense of something greater. There is the paradox of the ocean - the ocean is ever changing yet ever present. Fierce and dangerous, the sea also calms and soothes with its pulsing waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. The predominant environment on our planet, the ocean also reminds us to feel connected to something much greater, larger, than us. Experiences in, on, or by the ocean can connect us to a feeling of bliss, of “oneness” with nature, with a remembering that you are a part of a greater fabric of being, a sea of vibration, one tiny element in a greater elemental hum.

On the ocean, soul awareness turns on. Thinking turns off. You may feel held by the ocean, energized in its constant lift. Humbled by the tossing waves, keenly aware of your limitations, yet held by the even regenerating energy, maybe you contact a bliss that exists beyond the reaches of the body, mind, and the world of finite objects.

On a more scientific level, what are the finite points showing us how, on a more evidence-based scientific level, the ocean restores ?

FINITE POINTS: NEGATIVE IONS AND SALT

The ocean contains negative ions and salt. Negative ions are molecules in the air that carry an extra negative charge. Our bodies are electromagnetic thus, theoretically, the negative ions and salt can recharge and rebalance us. Modern day to day life often has too many positive ions that unbalance and fatigue us - positive ions are generated by pollution, air conditioning, and electronic devices. Crashing waves and waterfalls create an abundance of negative ions, improving energy, mood, increasing alpha brain rhythms and oxygen absorption (1,2). Boosting our antioxidant defence system, lowering blood lactate levels, and improving aerobic metabolism, the enhanced blood flow generated by negative ions may detoxify our bodies (3). Lactate is a molecule in the body that is associated with inflammation, and leads to aching muscles and stiffness after intense exercise. So surfing may have a built in recovery effect. 

Less physical and emotional stress and no need for pain medication was observed in negative ion air environments in a hospital study on minor skin surgery patients in an article published by the Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia (3). Negative air ionization may be associated with lower depression scores; although some trials show no difference compared to placebo (4,5,6,7). People prone to panic attacks are much less likely to experience panic after a rainfall, when negative ion count is high (3). 

The salt in sea water has many benefits: magnesium, potassium, and bromides can soothe muscle aches; sea salt is a mild disinfectant and can reduce the severity or occurrence of skin conditions; sea salt water massaged to the scalp may improve hair growth; sea salt water can promote moisture retention in skin so may reduce wrinkles and aging of the skin; circulation can improve; lung health can improve (8).

FINITE POINTS: BLUE BALANCES

The ocean is blue. Blue is a wavelength of light that is found, in scientific experiments, to be calming, relaxing, energizing. Blue enhances connectivity between emotions and other areas of the brain. Blue balances. In Japan, studies show that blue decreases anxiety and even decreases thoughts of life not being worth living. Blue has been found to increase adaptability to emotions (9).

FINITE POINTS: WATER

The movement of water has both novelty and repetition. Satisfying our need for adventure and security, the newness and constant waves fulfill two diverse aspects of our psyches. Flotation enhances calm, clears the mind, and decreases stress and is now a serious focus of research in Sweden. Also, when you immerse in water, you balance your catecholamines, which are chemicals in your brain that become imbalanced in stress. Surfing also may release dopamine in your brain, due to the novelty, risk, desire, and effort that it requires - each wave is new (9). Dopamine can be depleted in chronic stress, so surfing may therefor be a way to recover from stress (10). Surfing is aerobic, so you also may release endorphins which generate feelings and sensations of pleasure and enjoyment, a natural body and mind high. The apres surf calm is the “surfer’s stoke” - relaxed and energized, calm and alert, happy and fulfilled. The surfer’s stoke is the bliss that creates motivation for more surfing.

Again, less on a level of wellness and prevention, and more towards healing, studies show that water therapy has been used since the late 1800's, becoming a part of standardized care in the early 20th century. In the 1920's and 30's, hospitals featured specific hydrotherapy programs to treat fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression. Attention to hydrotherapy decreased after this. However, some research on water therapy continues to show powerful enhancement of the parasympathetic nervous system, the relaxation mode of our bodies and minds. The effects of flotation are likened to the effects of meditation, with strong engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system. Japanese studies show reduced physiological markers of stress and mental fatigue when bathing, associated with improved mental outlook and cognitive performance (3).

FINITE POINTS: COLD WATER IMMERSION

What is the magic that we feel after a cold water surf? Cold water can create significant changes in the body. Heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism may increase. Blood flow to the brain may decrease. Flow of catecholamines to the edges of the body can occur. Cold water can also decrease pain. Cold exposure can increase the ability of the nervous system to access motor neurones. The active part of the nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system, can be triggered. Noradrenaline and beta-endorphin may increase. Cold water may accelerate muscle recovery (11). 

MOOD AND ANXIETY

Wallace J. Nichols reviews ocean bliss in his book entitled “Blue Mind”. He describes how people feel relaxed, more calm, at peace, more integrated emotionally, uplifted, and energized around water. Many surfers say that surfing taught them a new way of life, an art of navigating the day to day and finding success. The patience to wait for the right timing, the humility to recognize your small role in this large world, the times when best to apply intense effort to catch the wave of a good thing, are life lessons from surfing that can be applied to psychological strategies for optimal mental well being.

In addition to optimizing your life, studies show that surfing can enhance emotional intelligence and reduce anxiety, even treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Carly Rogers evolved her own experience of ocean renewal into therapeutic sessions for those with trauma, including veterans. Programs offered by Wounded Warriors Ocean Therapy and Warrior Surf Foundation see soldiers with PTSD find renewed enjoyment of life, deep sleep, and decreased flashbacks and nightmares when surfing regularly. French doctors prescribe surfing to patients to treat various illnesses, from depression to heart disease. Saltwater Sessions director Lena Dickens, PhD, likens surfing on the board to keeping your centre in the midst of a changing landscape of reactions and emotions. To keep your focus, not be overwhelmed by the waves or the fear when surfing, teaches perseverance, determination, and increases emotional adaptability.

On Manhattan Beach, California, Ryan Pittsinger and his colleagues asked 107 people to rate mood before and after surfing. People were ages 18 to 58, and 85% were male. After 30 minutes of surfing, people were in a better mood and more calm. Pittsinger compares the ocean’s highly unpredictable nature to the unpredictability of everyday life. As surfers use their mind, body and spirit to overcome what the ocean presents, they gain life skills to navigate the way they live their lives (12).

Michael Scott Moore writes in Psych Central on Col. Greg Martin’s experiences in the Wounded Warrior’s program for veterans with PTSD, who says“. . . there’s nothing like surfing to touch the mind, the body and the spirit all at the same time.” Surf Therapy, by Surf Action, in the UK uses surfing as therapy for soldiers. The documentary “Resurface” highlights the veterans review of how the ocean provides solace, commands respect, and helps them form a new set of patterns and habits (13).

Carly Rogers developed an Ocean Therapy program in 2003 via the University of Southern California. Since that time, more than 1000 soldiers have been treated. In a paper published in 2014 in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Rogers detailed how PTSD symptoms decreased significantly after 5 weeks (14).

Nick Caddick, a psychologist at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, spent a year and a half studying the effects of surfing on British soldiers. “Regular surfing was necessary for disrupting the cycle of PTSD symptoms that would otherwise remain a continuous or uninterrupted source of suffering,” he wrote in a paper published in 2015 (15).  

“. . . the ocean itself has the cathartic ability to wash away negative emotions by putting them in a context of something much bigger and more powerful than someone’s individual life existence. The second reason was that learning to surf puts you in the flow channel where you get into “the zone.” When you’re in the zone, the stress or trauma of your daily life seems to dissolve. The third reason . . . is that surfing requires a singularity of focus that literally takes your mind off everything else going on in your life. Surfing forces you to focus on the task at hand and stay in the present tense. Fourthly, the adrenaline rush of surfing can recreate . . . novelty. . . . Lastly, . . you sleep better at night.”

— JOSH IZENBURG, PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

SUMMARY

Many of us know the thrill and rejuvenation we get when surfing or otherwise engaged in ocean time. Enhancing our mental and physical performance while deeply connecting us on a soul level to something greater, the ocean element brings us to a place of great peace and clarity.

On a more healing level, the ocean has the power to restore mood and reduce stress. Given our "Age of Anxiety", with more and more people experiencing stress and burn out, the ocean is to be treasured and protected as an element with great potential to restore and recharge us.

How can we bring the gorgeous invigorating and repleting energy of the ocean to our busy lifestyles?

Consider warm baths where you float in epsom salts and magnesium to reset and balance into the parasympathetic nervous system. Consider trying cold showers for the benefits of cold water immersion. You might play the sounds of crashing waves to soothe the cerebellum, the lower back part of our brain associated with learning and memory, that also responds to water sounds by creating more relaxation. Consider arranging trips to the ocean, try boogie boarding, stand up paddle boarding, or surfing.

When life gets stressful, difficult and confusing, you might use the surfing metaphor of finding your sweet spot of balance. Ride out the tossing waves until you get to the smooth clean ride of a solid wave. Stay in the present moment and pay attention to all that changes around you, as you also notice that in some ways, the change never changes, the change is constant, and in many ways you are constantly held by the air, the earth, the people around you, and something greater, in a constant offering of new opportunities and support. Focus on what is truly important, and ride out the in between spaces like you would float between waves. If you fall off your board, get back on it. Sometimes, it’s that simple.

Wishing you the best, always,

Dr. Maia

REFERENCES

(1) Negative Ions create Positive Vibes. Popular literature: WebMD

(2) The Power of Negative Ions. Popular literature: Pranaview Australia.

(3) Selhub E & Logan A. "Your Brain on Nature" (book)

(4) Terman M & Terman JS 1995. "Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer." In J Altern Complem Med. 1(1):87-92. Note: The Termans are based at Columbia University in NYC, New York, USA.

(5) Terman M & Terman JS 2006. "Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn simulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective disorder." In Am J Psychiatry Dec 163(12):2126-33.

(6) Arehart-Treichel, J. 2007. "Negative Ions may offer unexpected MH Benefit." In Psychiatric News, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

(7) Perez, V. et al. 2013. “Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis.” in BMC Psychiatry

(8) "Sea swimming may add years to your life." Popular literature (with research references): Mail Online.

(9) Nichols, Wallace J.  2015. Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that shows how being near, in, or on water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do. (book)

(10) Cruikshank, T. 2016. "Meditate your weight." (book)

(11) Moovenham A & Nevithita J 2014. "Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body." N Am J Med Sci 6(5): 199–209.

(12) Need a mood lift? Grab your surfboard. Popular Literature: LiveScience.

(13) Treating PTSD with Surf Therapy. Popular Literature: Psych Central.

(14) Rogers CM, Mallinson T, Peppers D. 2014. High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: feasibility study of Ocean Therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Am J Occupational Ther. 68; 395-404.

(15) Caddick N, Smith B, Phoenix C. 2015. The effects of surfing and the natural environment on the well-being of combat veterans. Qual Health Res. 25(1):76-86.