Photo by: Walkerssk via Pixabay

Did you know that Hawaii has been taking the Number One slot as the happiest US state by the annual Gallup poll not just once, but for six times already since 2008?

This statistics may be linked to recent studies that spending time by the beach is beneficial for one's well-being, and that those who live near the coast have better physical and mental health.

According to Richard Shuster, PsyD and clinical psychologist, there are a few factors that contribute to this interesting study.He says, “The color blue has been found by an overwhelming amount of people to be associated with feelings of calm and peace,” As a result, Shuster says, “staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state.” This may also explain that calming feeling when you smell the ocean breeze, and hear the gentle waves crashing along the shore.

Even simply touching the sand makes you feel all fuzzy. “The physical sensation of putting your feet in warm sand causes people to relax,” says Shuster.

However, this relaxing and soothing feeling when we go to the beach may be an effect on pop culture, which usually portrays beaches as tranquil places to settle for awhile, which is sort of a placebo effect. “We’ve been conditioned to think of the beach as peaceful and relaxing,” says Shuster. “We expect when we go to the beach that we are going to relax.”

As much as we’d happily set up residence beachside on a Hawaiian island, one doesn't actually have to live by the water to reap the benefits.It’s all about taking advantage of the time one spends there by practicing mindfulness.

Given these health benefits that the ocean can give us, Shuster suggests refraining from using gadgets to maximize the benefits of being at the beach. “The best way to exercise mindfulness is to close your eyes and listen to the ocean waves rolling in and out,” says Shuster. “If you’re getting alerts from your phone, that’s going to detract from the experience.”

Above all, be aware of your senses. “Focus on how your body feels warm from the rays of the sun, focus on what it feels like to have your feet in the sand, breathe deep and smell the ocean air,” says Shuster.