Physical benefits of the seaside

At Booyah Vitality, our focus is on your health. 

Our passion is crafting nutritional drinks that harness the power of natural probiotics- a shot of vitality for your physical health. But the best benefits come from looking after *all* of you, not just your body.  

While our lovingly crafted range of dandelion coffee, kombucha, and turmeric shots are designed to take care of your physical health, it’s important not to forget your mental health too. 

Booyah Vitality is lucky enough to be based on Hasting’s Pier, sitting proudly amongst the sea waves. 

First formally opened in August 1872, the pier was described as the “pier less pier”. It has welcomed pleasure steamers, promenaders, and concerts. It has also suffered major storm damage, and a devastating fire- but, thankfully, was redeveloped and it open to the public these days. 

People have flocked to the seaside for centuries. In the Victorian era, trips to the seaside were even prescribed as remedies for countless ailments- hysteria, coughs, tiredness, stress, and many more. 

The Victorians may have had some rather interesting, and often dangerous, practices but in this, they hit upon something incredibly beneficial. 

Is Sea Air Good for You?

Short answer: yes. A trip to the seaside has numerous benefits for your physical and mental health.

Hastings Pier where our hut is.

            Physical Benefits of the Seaside

A trip down to the beach is a mini workout, without you even realising it. The constantly shifting stones, sand, and shingle forces your body to counterbalance. Your calves, thighs, and glutes are constantly under pressure to maintain balance, without you even breaking a sweat. And anyone who has had to scramble back up a steep shingle bank after heading out at low tide will attest to the workout! Swimming in the sea is, of course, even more of a workout. 

The seaside offers more benefits to your physical health than just a gentle workout, though. Being in, or near, seawater helps your body absorb magnesium, salt, and potassium chloride. The latter two have fantastic healing qualities. Magnesium helps the skin maintain its elasticity and hydration, which keeps it healthy and looking fresh for looking. 

Swimming in summer seawater, when it’s nice and warm, prompts the body to self-heal, helping conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and aches.

Not only that, the air itself has physical health benefits. Sea air has a high level of negative ions. Your body reacts to this by increasing your ability to take in oxygen, and by equalising your serotonin levels. Serotonin is the body’s wonder chemical:

·       Maintains bowel activity

·       Stops the digestion of bad food

·       Helps form blood clot on injuries

·       Aids in falling asleep and waking up

·       Promotes bone health

·       Regulates mood and mental health

            Mental Benefits of the Seaside

Being by the sea is relaxing and refreshing in equal measure. Even when the wind is harsh, the water is freezing, and the seagulls are on the attack… there’s just something about the ocean that is freeing. 

Turns out, this is not a new concept. All the way back to 5th Century BC Ancient Greece (and who knows, possibly even before), the healing virtue of water was recognised. Thalassotherapy is the term that was coined for bathing in the ocean, and use of marine products, for healing benefits.  

Seawater has the remarkable ability to prompt the body to boost both melatonin and serotonin levels. Melatonin is a natural hormone in the brain responsible for controlling sleep cycles- it helps you fall asleep at night, and wake up in the morning. Regular good sleep is vital for your physical health, but is also highly beneficial to your mental health. Sleep plays a part in memory ability (both learning new things and recalling old information), concentration, and mood stabilisation. Not getting enough sleep could leave you grumpy, forgetful, and distracted.

Serotonin is a bit of a wonder hormone. Alongside a whole host of physical benefits, serotonin also controls the regulation of mood. It promotes happiness and feelings of wellbeing, while decreasing risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. 

Even the sound of the ocean has been shown to benefit mental health. The sound of waves can actually alter your brain patterns, and enable a state of deep relaxation. 

And of course, who could forget the view? The seaside offers an unbroken, expansive, panoramic viewpoint when so much of our lives are boxed in by office cubicles, car windscreens, and shopping centres. After over a year of lockdown limitations and stay at home orders, now is a fabulous time to take advantage of the seaside- socially distanced, of course. Expand your mind to match the horizons, take time to contemplate the beauty of nature while your body finds its balance. 

 Oh, We Do Like to be Beside the Seaside…

There’s no question that a trip down to Hastings beach would be in your best interest. A walk along the sand and stones, reaps the natural benefits of ocean water and sea air, giving you

·       Better sleep

·       Improved mood

·       Enhanced self-healing

·       Mini workout

·       Healthier skin

·       Healthier digestion

·       And more!

There’s little better. 

Except, a walk by the beach and a stroll along the pier to visit Booyah Vitality. 

How better to complete the benefits of a seaside trip, than with a glass of nutritional kombucha, dandelion coffee, or turmeric shot? All packed full of natural nutrients and probiotics hand brewed to offer you the very best benefits. 

We hope to see you soon!