Every 2 years (with 2020 the exception) for the last 26 years or so, I’ve spent a week at the Outer Banks in North Carolina with my extended family. It’s usually somewhere around 25-40 people sitting on the beach, playing games, chatting, relaxing, playing games, and eating great food.
Despite not being much of a water person (I greatly prefer the joys of land), in my 30s and now 40s I’ve found that I look forward to the ocean waters for healing and rejuvenation. Now, this may entirely be a made-up placebo effect in my mind, but I’m curious if you feel the same way, so I’ll share it here.
For the most part, I’ve always found the salty ocean water to be really good for my skin. My skin always feels fantastic for weeks after spending time in the ocean. It seems to dry out and reduce blemishes while also refreshing and rejuvenating. It’s amazing.
I turned to the ocean for something else this year. Because of some aggressive disc golf backhand play, I’m pretty sure I’ve slowly been tearing (or at least severely aggravating) the muscle in front of my right shoulder over the last few months. I was looking forward to using the ocean as an ice bath of sorts, just as professional pitchers do after a game.
So at least twice a day over the last week, I’d wander into the ocean when the waters were calm, and I would simply let my right arm soak for 15-20 minutes. The water was never warm, but some days it was more bearable than others.
Without fail, my arm felt so much better after each soak. It still needs time and rest, but I’m convinced the ocean helped.
What do you think? Do you feel better–physically, mentally, or emotionally–after spending time in the ocean? The photo below shows me and my mom waiting for a break in the waves last week.
