Hola chiquitas and chiquitos and chiquites…
I’m a tiny bit thrown off right now because I thought I was on Day 100 of my 100 Days of Blogging, but I’m actually only on Day 99. So I was planning to write a recap post about what it was like to write 100 blogs. But I shall save that for tomorrow. Happy almost Day 100….
So I figured today would be a good day to bring up negative ions.
The other day I was up in Encinitas looking at some apartments and a really friendly woman was showing me around. I said to her, “thank you for being so friendly and generous with your time,” and she replied, “it’s the negative ions!” and laughed.
I didn’t know what a negative ion was or why she said it, but of course I was immediately intrigued.
Today, I moved out of a temporary place in North Park and into (another temporary) little spot near Mission Bay. Being by the beach, I immediately felt happier and more uplifted than I had in 6 weeks of being in a more urban part of San Diego. I also took the most amazing nap I’ve had in a long time, with the ocean breeze blowing in through my window, and with a ceiling fan circulating the air around me, rather than an air conditioner.
I knew that the ocean soothed me and made me happy, somehow.
I remembered the happy Encinitas woman, and started researching negative ions immediately.
I found the following:
From this article:
DING DING DING
WHAT! Negative ions near the ocean help balance serotonin levels and diminish depression!?!
#oceanforever
And here: What The Beach Does To Your Brain:
“The smell of the ocean breeze also contributes to your soothed state, which may have something to do with the negative ions in the air that you’re breathing in. These oxygen atoms have an extra electron and occur in places like waterfalls and the ocean, says Shuster. A study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine suggests that negative ion therapy could be used to treat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.“
Dude.
Even WebMD is on board with negative ions (and since when does WebMD talk about “vibes”? Oh, 2002).
“Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.”
I will take it, my friends. I WILL TAKE IT.
Here’s an answer from Mark’s Daily Apple about negative ions:
“Negative ions generally appear in natural settings in greater numbers than positive ions. For instance, negative ions are generated by moving water – rivers, waterfalls, crashing waves, even showers and fountains.
Negative ions (along with bright light and auditory stimuli) reduced subjective measurements of depression, improved mood, and reduced anger in both depressed and non-depressed college students.”
According to Organic Lifestyle Magazine...
“Positively charged ions do not have a positive effect on our physical and mental health. They are associated with an increase in allergies, infections, lethargy, depression, anxiety, suicide, and more.
(For more on that, check out this Times article on ions and mood from 1981! That was written before I was even born…)
Positively charged ions concentrate indoors. Electromagnetic fields, fluorescent lights, carpet, metal, plastics, and air pollution all increase the number of positive ions in an environment. Your first defense is to open the windows to fresh air! The next? Get rid of those fluorescent light bulbs! While you’re at it, toss the microwave.
Negatively charged ions have a positive effect. They elevate our mood by increasing serotonin levels, they help stabilize blood pressure, increase the body’s alkalinity, strengthen bones, heighten immunity, accelerate physical recovery, they purify and clean the air, and more.
Spend more time outside. Negatively charged ions are abundant in nature with the highest concentrations forming near moving water and old growth forests. Have you ever noticed how you feel when you sit near a waterfall or walk along the beach? What about when you stand in a forest or stroll through a lush garden? You breathe in that fresh, clean air and you feel energized yet calm, alive, vibrant, refreshed.”
ANNNNNDDDD I just tossed my cell phone into the ocean. Begone, electronic-mood-smog!
Here are some negative ions for you to look at:
Also, Himalayan Salt lamps are said to release negative ions into the air – not in huge amounts, but what’s the harm in getting one? They look beautiful and make you happy when you look at them. I have one glowing in my bedroom right now… Plus, Amazon says they illuminate your soul. Done.
What do you guys know about negative ions? I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna gather as many as I can get…
xx
J
Tiffany says
I loved reading this! I did not know that about the ocean. But I use unscented pure beeswax candles because they emit negative ions. I didn’t realize they would improve my mood! :D Another benefit of beeswax! I just use them to purify the air in my house and at work because I work in a salon which has lots of chemicals flying around the air.