What is the benefit of the sea for human health? A sea of ​​benefits. What diseases does salt water treat Sea healing effect

The sea is health. Our ancestors knew about it, we know it and our descendants will understand it. Despite the fact that the benefits of swimming in the sea are not denied, we still underestimate the seaside vacation. He is able to perform miracles, which you will read about today.

The best antistress

The sea is the best psychological support in the world. The wave vibrations, the uniform sound of the sea soothes, relieves stress from nervous system. This is noted by everyone who, n

Being under the influence of stress, I decided to have a rest on the sea.

Sea air helps to "ventilate" the head. Blood circulation in the brain improves, bad thoughts disappear, solutions are found for seemingly hopeless situations.

Swimming in the sea enhances the effect of a sea walk. The sea contains all the necessary microelements that are absorbed into the human body through the skin. The benefits of swimming in the sea are gymnastics for the vessels. The temperature of the water is in any case lower than the temperature of the body, due to which there is a narrowing and expansion of blood vessels. 5-10 dives in the sea within an hour can radically change the psychological state of a person.

Sea air will be a huge boon for those who are in a bad environmental situation. Near the sea, breathing is much easier, which removes another psychological anchor.

Dopamine and swimming in the sea

Swimming in cold water trains internal system encouragement. It's about the balance of hormones that are responsible for our ability to enjoy life, to achieve our goals. Since sea water is in any case colder than the body, water can be considered “cold” even on the hottest summer days.

But the maximum benefit of swimming in the sea is achieved by immersion in really cold water. A number of hormones are thrown into the blood, and after overcoming the obstacle, dopamine is released - the hormone of happiness and motivation. The psyche understands overcoming cold water like "I SURVIVE!!!" gives a temporary feeling of euphoria followed by sustained joy.

This is the reason why there is such a thing as "winter swimming". These people are just happy. They don't care about any medical warnings.

And thanks to the high level of dopamine, these people are healthier than those around them. It is difficult for an unhappy person to maintain an excellent physical condition.

Benefits of sea water for the body

The benefits of swimming in the sea affect not only psychology. Sea water has a beneficial effect on the following body systems:

• Leather. During bathing, the pores open, toxins and waste products are removed from the body at an accelerated pace. Through open pores, the entire periodic table, which is contained in sea water, penetrates into the skin. The sea treats acne, heals wounds, prevents the development of fungal diseases;
• The cardiovascular system. Stress is the main reason cardiovascular disease. The second reason is occlusion of blood vessels, atherosclerosis, loss of elasticity of blood vessels and capillaries. The benefit of swimming in the sea is that it reduces the level of stress hormones and gives the vessels gymnastics, which improves their condition;
• lymphatic system. Pollution of the lymphatic system is one of the main causes of wen and other skin rashes. This is the cause of a headache in the morning, a bad mood. The sea cleanses the lymph, fights the cause of the problems, and thereby eliminates these popular symptoms;
• Respiratory system. Bathing in the sea is the first thing that is indicated for chronic diseases of the ear, throat and nose. ENT diseases are successfully treated thanks to vascular gymnastics, unique air and healing of all body systems. The author of this article cured vasomotor rhinitis, which took years and thousands of dollars to treat, thanks to daily bathing in the sea. After a month and a half, there was no trace of a 4-year-old illness;
• Nervous system. The sea is the best anti-stress. There is nothing to add here;
• Hormonal system. The sea improves the functioning of the thyroid gland, and also allows you to restore any hormonal disruptions.

Improves the condition of nails and hair. If we compare this and all the properties listed above with the services of the most expensive cosmetologists, the sea will win with a huge advantage.

The benefits of swimming in the sea for an athlete

Regular bathing is useful for both ordinary people and athletes. The benefits of the sea for an athlete are in the following aspects:

1. Increasing speed. Thanks to all of the above factors, muscles recover faster;
2. Accelerates fat burning. The body spends energy to maintain normal body temperature, which is expressed in additional calorie expenditure;
3. Improved health. Sports are health issues. Holidays at sea can reduce Negative influence health training and competition;
4. The fight against the main ailment of a bodybuilder. from physical and psycho-emotional stress - the main problem In sports. The sea heals this too.

There are others beneficial features, which you can discover during your holiday at sea.

Bathing rules

To get all the above results, you should follow the following rules:

• Swim in the clearest water possible. In a bad environment, this is difficult, but most of the pollution comes from people who are nearby on the beach. The way out is to find a beach with a minimum number of people, swim early in the morning and late in the evening. This is the optimal choice;
• Check your health before finding out the benefits of swimming in the sea personally. Cold water can become a catalyst in worsening the condition of already existing diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys and other internal organs;
• Change clothes immediately after swimming. An exception may be hot summer weather, when wet clothes will not act as a factor deteriorating health;
• Drink more water. Harmful substances are removed from the skin only if there is a sufficient amount of clear fluid. Sea therapy paired with water also improves

Resting on the coast, a person experiences a whole range of positive emotions. The sound of the surf, the warm breeze, the cries of seagulls above your head - all this helps to escape from everyday worries, get rid of the effects of stress, and get a boost of energy. But, in addition to psychological relief, rest on the coast is a wonderful opportunity for recovery. It has a strengthening effect on the body and helps to get rid of many diseases.

Healing properties of sea air

The healing properties of sea air have been known since ancient times; this was mentioned in ancient Greek papyri and in ancient monuments of Indo-European literature, which are over 4 thousand years old. In ancient times, thalassotherapy was born - a direction so popular at present, based on the healing properties of the sea climate. Today, centuries later, climatic factors still play an important role in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Moreover, a separate direction in medicine has appeared - climatotherapy, where, in addition to thalassotherapy, also includes - a long or dosed stay on outdoors, And heliotherapy- sunbathing.

For the most part, urban residents rarely go out into the fresh air, the functionality of thermoreceptors in the skin and mucous membranes in a city dweller decreases, and the body's defense reactions also suffer ( ). Under the influence of adverse factors (for example, hypothermia, stress), the development of a number of diseases or exacerbation of existing ones is inevitable ( ).

But with a change in the intensity of solar radiation, temperature, air velocity and its composition in the body, adaptation system training, increased resistance to any adverse influence: both internally and externally.

Moreover, climatic factors are natural, which is important. During air baths the nerve endings of the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are affected, the impulses are transmitted to the internal organs, as a result, the supply of oxygen to the tissues and organs increases, the work of the heart and ventilation of the lungs improve. Air baths can be taken at any time of the year, although there is an opinion that more low temperatures. But sea air has a maximum of possibilities.

What is useful sea air

The air near the sea, especially in stormy weather, is saturated with microscopic droplets of sea water, rich in ozone and oxygen, which increases it several times. useful features, especially its bactericidal properties should be emphasized.

In addition, the benefits of sea air are determined by the presence of a huge amount of trace elements in its composition. During the evaporation of sea water, some of the active substances enter the air. In stormy weather, when foamy sea "lambs" are formed, their content in the air increases significantly. As a result of foaming, the air is a salt aerosol saturated with many useful substances, for example, bromine, iodine, magnesium, sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, and many other compounds are also present in sea air.

Due to the presence of inert gases in the atmosphere, high level ionization, which enhances the effect of trace elements on the body.

Who benefits from sea air

• Climatotherapy has proven to be excellent in cosmetology. Staying on the sea coast improves regeneration processes, the skin becomes velvety after sea walks, the complexion improves. Walks along the sea coast are ideal for problematic skin, as well as an anti-aging remedy.
• At respiratory diseases ozone and oxygen molecules are detrimental to infectious agents, entering the respiratory tract. Thus, sea air is useful for patients suffering from sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, etc. In addition, the amount of dust and allergens on the coast is minimal, so people with allergic diseases, including those with, are advised to regularly relax near the sea, especially during flowering.
• Patients with diseases of the circulatory system and with pathologies of the blood seaside holidays are also recommended. During walks, the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood increases, blood circulation improves, and the presence of iodine and potassium normalizes blood pressure.
• The air near the sea coasts is saturated with iodine, the lack of which can cause thyroid disease( ), which in turn will provoke a number of other deviations. Inhalation of sea air with a high content of iodine can serve as a prevention of iodine deficiency.
• For nervous system sea ​​air is a natural antioxidant that helps to cope with the effects of stress. Magnesium ions present in the coastal atmosphere are necessary for the body to relieve nervous tension and eliminate excessive nervous excitability. In addition, being a catalyst for metabolic processes, the healing air of the sea coast helps to increase efficiency, and is also indispensable in the fight against the syndrome.

How long do you need to stay at sea to achieve the maximum effect

To get the maximum healing effect, you should spend 3-4 weeks near the sea. It should be taken into account that for sensitive people, the first few days may take acclimatization, and only after that you can count on a healing effect. Of course, it is impossible to completely get rid of diseases during one vacation, however, with regular visits to the resort, exacerbations of diseases occur less often, and the symptoms often become less pronounced. In addition, to get maximum benefit Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• The highest concentration of useful substances in the air is in the kilometer zone from the surf.
• The best time for a walk is in the morning and at sunset.
• Maximum benefit - with rough seas; at this time, the most intensive saturation of the air with microelements occurs.
• Coniferous trees enhance the beneficial properties of sea air.

Possible risks and contraindications

Is sea air always beneficial? And harm to human health, it turns out, is also possible. We are talking about contraindications, albeit minor ones. People with oncological and infectious diseases should refrain from a long stay at a seaside resort. Sea air is not always useful for patients with. People with heart disease should be extremely careful when staying near the sea, since a high level of trace elements in combination with solar radiation can cause heart failure.

Nature gives us unique opportunity recovery, not to use which would be extremely unreasonable. Sea air is a universal and proven method for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The time spent on the seashore will help to cope with all the negative factors that are so generous modern civilization. The consequences of unfavorable, constant, snacking on the go can be neutralized if you regularly spend holidays on the seashore.

Oksana Matias, general practitioner

Illustrations: Anastasia Leman

Our expert - general practitioner Irina Vechnaya.

For the nose and joints

Let's figure out what diseases can be cured with the help of sea bathing.

Runny nose, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis. Rinsing the nose with salt water instantly makes breathing easier. Sea water, getting on the nasal mucosa, evaporates, taking with it excess moisture, and thereby relieves swelling. Approximately the same effect can be achieved with nasal drops, only in the case of drops, mucosal edema is reduced due to vasoconstriction. But unlike drops, sea water acts softer and is not addictive.

Bronchopulmonary diseases. Calcium, sulfur and other minerals dissolved in seawater give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Just keep in mind, for those who want to improve the health of the respiratory system, it is better to choose resorts with dry air - the Mediterranean Sea, Crimea.

Relieves stress. This is facilitated by compounds of iodine and bromine, which are saturated with sea water. In addition, there is a lot of magnesium in sea water, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the nervous system. Sunbathing only enhances the anti-stress effect of sea water. After all, seasonal mood disorders often arise from a lack of vitamin D, which is produced in the body under the influence of sunlight.

Skin diseases. Eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis and acne can also be cured at sea. Salt water slightly dries the skin, eliminates inflammation and accelerates tissue regeneration.

Excess weight. Sea water activates metabolic processes, stimulates blood circulation and removes excess fluid. In order for the weight loss effect to be most significant, it is better to bathe in cool water.

Cardiovascular diseases. Any bathing trains blood vessels and the heart muscle due to temperature differences. But sea water, unlike fresh water, contains potassium - the main element for the health of the cardiovascular system.

Diseases of the teeth and gums. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea water maintains healthy gums, calcium dissolved in it strengthens tooth enamel, and salt particles reduce plaque deposits.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Sea water eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood circulation in the joint and strengthens the bones.

Bathing rules

For sea water to be beneficial, you need to follow some simple rules.

Try not to overcool. For the water to work, it is enough to spend 10-15 minutes in it.

Do not run to the shower immediately after bathing. Let the salt and beneficial elements remain on the skin for 15 minutes. But after that, a shower is required. After all, sea water has the ability to remove toxins from the body (usually through the pores of the skin and sweat glands), which must be washed off. In addition, salt water takes away natural moisture from the surface of the skin, and this leads to the appearance of wrinkles and increases the likelihood of sunburn.

Do not use water near the shore for rinsing and washing. It is often contaminated. The purest water is at a depth of 2 meters. So you have to dive for it. If you don't know how, at least swim away from the shore for some distance.

Don't bathe immediately after eating. This can lead to digestive problems.

Where are we going?

Black Sea

Rest is useful for people with diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, lung disease).

Sea of ​​Azov

Relieves stress, treats skin diseases, improves lung function, lowers blood pressure. Swimming in windy weather is especially useful - the surf raises healing silt from the bottom of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Baltic Sea

It is useful for heart patients, hypertensive patients, overweight people and weakened immune systems.

Mediterranean Sea

Improves lung function, fights bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, strengthens the heart and relieves stress.

Red sea

Useful for skin diseases, stress and metabolic disorders.

Dead Sea

It treats eczema and psoriasis, due to the presence of therapeutic mud, it is recommended for people with sore joints.

4 naive questions

Is it possible to bring sea water with you and be treated at home?

Alas, sea water loses most of its useful tools in just a day. So stocking up is not possible. For the same reason, swimming in the sea is healthier than swimming in a pool of sea water.

Is it possible to prepare sea water from improvised means?

Boil a glass of water, then cool to a temperature of 37 degrees, pour in a teaspoon of sea salt, wait until the salt dissolves, add a drop of iodine and strain the solution through cheesecloth. Get water close to sea. However, natural water from the sea is still more useful, because in addition to salt and iodine, it contains other macro- and microelements, as well as beneficial microorganisms.

Which water is healthier - warm or cold?

The optimum water temperature for swimming is 20-24 degrees. Colder water can cause colds or cystitis, and microbes begin to multiply in too warm sea water.

Can you drink sea water?

No, the removal of salts and minerals contained in sea water takes more liquid than is contained in salt water. Therefore, the use of sea water inside for more than 5-7 days in a row leads to dehydration.

Millions of people choose seaside resorts for their holidays, and they are not mistaken. The benefits of staying at sea are not only in relaxation, but also in the beneficial properties of the sea for human health. The sea has a beneficial effect on the human body. Chemical composition sea ​​water has powerful properties. By the way, it is very surprising that the composition of sea water is almost similar to the composition of human blood. But what's so surprising about that? After all, the sea is part of the biosphere.

↓ CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE ↓

Health benefits of the sea - historical background

History tells us that doctors advised their patients to go to the sea to treat various diseases. They even wrote prescriptions detailing how long, how often, and under what conditions their patients were to be in seawater.

The use of sea water for medical purposes even has its own name - thalassotherapy.

In 1769, the popular British physician Richard Russell published a dissertation in which he argued the use of sea water for the treatment of "diseases of the lymph nodes", which included scurvy, jaundice, leprosy, and glandular fever, as Infectious mononucleosis. He promoted not only swimming in sea water, but also drinking it.

Today, medical and spa resorts are located in abundance on the sea coasts. It is believed that in such resorts people not only get distracted from their problems, but in some cases even cure arthritis.

But is there really evidence for the healing effects of sea water? Does sea water improve skin condition and mental health?

The benefits of the sea to improve skin condition

Sea water differs from river water in that it contains much large quantity minerals, including sodium, magnesium and calcium, as well as various chlorides and sulfates. This is the reason why sea water is very beneficial for the skin, for example, in diseases such as psoriasis.

The benefits of the sea for the treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune (when the immune system attacks healthy cells) skin disease. People with psoriasis suffer from debilitating skin rashes in the form of itchy, scaly plaques.

Bathing in natural, mineral-rich water, including mineral springs, is called balneotherapy and has long been used to treat psoriasis.

There is also evidence for climatotherapy(when the patient is referred to a specific geographic point for treatment) at the Dead Sea, which is effective tool against this disease.

People with psoriasis claim to feel better after swimming in the sea, but keep in mind that sunlight can also help relieve psoriasis symptoms.

The benefits of the sea for the treatment of eczema

Bathing in sea water is also beneficial for eczema, another immune-dependent disease.

People with severe eczema may feel uncomfortable in chlorinated pools, and swimming in the sea is a great alternative.

But the reaction of eczema sufferers to salt water varies: some find it soothing, others feel uncomfortable.

There is some evidence to support the idea that magnesium absorption is beneficial for the skin of eczema sufferers, presumably because it makes the skin less dry. Magnesium-rich sea water helps to retain moisture in the skin, making it denser and more elastic.

↓ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ↓
What are the health benefits of the sea, I learned from my own experience. In childhood and adolescence I suffered a lot from neurodermatitis. My parents regularly took me to the Crimea (Evpatoria) and the Sea of ​​Azov (Berdyansk). During my stay at sea, all the symptoms of neurodermatitis quickly disappeared almost completely and reappeared when I returned to Moscow. Who has similar skin problems, go to the sea, where the climate is dry!

I swim in shallow water. Black Sea, the village of Blagoveshchenskaya, Anapa.

Antiseptic properties of sea water

Since sea water is rich in sodium and iodine, it has antiseptic properties. This means that sea water promotes the healing of skin lesions. But on the other hand, the benefits of swimming in the sea with open sores on the skin may be questionable, since there is a possibility of introducing a bacterial infection.

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Sea benefits for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis

Many people who suffer from sinusitis (inflammation of the lining of one or more of the paranasal sinuses) and hay fever benefit greatly from irrigating the nose with saline solutions. Irrigation or rinsing of the nasal cavity with a saline solution is used as an additional therapy for many people suffering from hay fever or sinus inflammation and infections.

Bathing in the sea and exposure to the salt that surrounds a person in sea water reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as symptoms of other respiratory diseases.

This is because exposure to salt on the lining of the sinuses can reduce inflammation, although there is no reliable scientific evidence for this yet.

People who live near the sea and bathe in it from time to time have a healthier respiratory system. Sea water has a composition similar to that of the human body's own fluids, so it cleanses the airways without irritating them.

The benefits and harms of the sea for people with cardiovascular problems

Rest on the sea is not only swimming, but also staying in the sun, which is very active on warm seas. Thirty minutes in the sun is an excellent prevention of heart and vascular diseases. Under the influence of the sun, vitamin D, which is so necessary for the vessels, is produced.

• Before planning a trip, consult your doctor! Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are very insidious - they may not manifest themselves in any way.
• Even if you think that everything is in order with your heart, but you are no longer young, while relaxing on the sea avoid extreme or unusual activities for you. No need to show your grandchildren how famously you can swim to the buoy. If you are comfortable swimming in the sea at a depth of half a meter, do so.
• For a trip to the sea, choose the "velvet" season when the sun is not so active, it is not so hot and stuffy. There is enough sun in seaside resorts in spring and autumn, and not just in summer!
• Stay in the shade during the hot hours of the day, do not forget about the headdress. Being in the sun during the hottest hours of the day is also harmful for healthy person. You can get a portion of sunlight sufficient for healing and breathe in the sea air in the early morning or evening at sunset.
• Diet- seafood, fish, vegetables and fruits - that's what will be good for the heart.
• The most likely exacerbation of cardiovascular disease in the first four days of rest- stress during the flight and exposure to a different climate may affect.
• If you have an unhealthy heart and blood vessels, be careful when bathing - never jump into the water. The greater the temperature difference between water and air, the more dangerous it can be.
• Stock up on medications that you take regularly and in case of an aggravation. Ask your doctor about a set of heart medications for a trip to the sea.

Benefits of the sea for meditation and relaxation

Exercising in nature has very large mental health benefits over exercising elsewhere. It combines all the benefits of physical activity with the restorative effect of being in nature. Swimming in the sea is therefore very beneficial. It relaxes, calms and reduces stress.

In his book Blue Mind, written in 2014, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols collected evidence of why people find themselves in a meditative and relaxed state while in or underwater. One reason is the style of breathing used while swimming and diving. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the system that controls organ function and calms the brain) and influences brain frequency and hormones that affect the brain positively.

The feeling of weightlessness in the water can also have a calming effect on the brain by changing or slowing down its frequency.

All this helps to distract from life's problems, gives a sense of awareness - a state in which a person, contemplating, is aware of what surrounds him.

Hydrotherapy (water therapy) and swimming reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. One study showed that the effect of balneotherapy was comparable to the effect of one of the widely used antidepressants (paroxetine).

You can feel the relaxing and calming effect of the sea right now by watching the video below. The sound of the surf and the gentle splash of water have their effect even at a distance - I was convinced of this myself, watching and editing the video. The video was filmed on the Black Sea near the village of Blagoveshchenskaya near Anapa.

The next video was filmed directly in Anapa. The sea here is not so calm and the coast is rocky, not sandy. But the sound of the surf, the endless movement of sea water and foam, and the ability to see the distant horizon attract even from a distance, just watching the video is enough.

How did the rest of the sea affect your health?

Benefits of swimming in the sea if the water is cool or cold

Hydrotherapy is widely used in rehabilitation, but here I will focus on the benefits of swimming in the sea when the water is cool or cold.

Swimming in cold water activates temperature receptors under the skin that release hormones such as endorphins, adrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones have a positive effect on certain diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as fibromyalgia, which causes chronic pain and increased sensitivity throughout the body.

Periodic exposure to cold water can also lead to improved functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the functioning of internal organs. This is due to an increase in the production of the hormones dopamine and serotonin.

Swimming in cold seas will burn more calories to maintain body temperature, although the overall effect of cold water on body fat is debatable.

Frequent exposure to cold water has also been shown to increase the body's immunity.

Swimming in the sea is a healthy and beneficial habit.

An amazing feeling of weightlessness, relaxation is simply incomparable. Dead Sea.

How to bathe

It is no secret that swimming in the sea, or rather regular swimming, increases muscle strength, improves the state of the cardiovascular system and increases overall endurance.

General rules for swimming in the sea:

• It must be remembered that doctors do not recommend swimming immediately after a long exposure to the sun, since in this case myocardial infarction can be provoked. Cool down in the shade before entering the water.
• It is necessary to dive into the water gradually for your body to adapt.
• Remember hypothermia - hypothermia can lead to negative consequences for the body. Listen to your body, and if you feel that you are getting cold, get out of the water right away.
• Many people visit the pool, but it is important to know the differences between the controlled environment of a basin and the natural environment of the sea. There are no ropeways in the sea to grab hold of and guide you, and the weather can change in a matter of minutes, and with it the conditions in which you swim. For example, blow strong wind and the waves will rise. You also need to remember this and evaluate your strengths.
• Pay attention to signs, announcements and special signs on the beach.
• If you come to the beach and see that no one bathes, do not rush to go into the water. Perhaps there is some reason why it is undesirable to enter the water now. Ask the lifeguards.
• Check if there are lifeguards on the beach. If you are an adult and feel confident as a swimmer, you probably won't need a lifeguard. However, if you are at the beach with a child or feel safer if someone is looking at you, right decision there will be swimming next to lifeguards on a beach where they are constantly on duty. You will be more comfortable if you know that there is someone nearby who can help.
• Be sure to have a first aid kit with you on the beach. This is especially important if you are with children. Children can easily get scratched by shells or rocks, or be stung by a jellyfish. It is also not uncommon for adults to injure themselves by stepping on something sharp on the beach or in the water with their bare feet. Plaster, bandage, antiseptics, iodine, brilliant green, antiseptic and simple wipes, etc. - this simple set will quickly help you out if something happens.

Eating and drinking on the beach:

• Don't drink alcohol! If you do intend to drink alcohol on the beach, drink plenty of water and eat enough so that your body can withstand the effects of alcohol. Drunk swimming is dangerous!
• Drink enough water! In hot weather at the beach, the body can become dehydrated very easily, even though you are surrounded by water.
• If you are going to spend a lot of time on the beach, bring supply of food and water. Not all beaches have the opportunity to buy something to eat. It is important that you eat and drink enough while on the beach and swimming.
• After eating, wait 20-30 minutes before going for a swim. If you have a big snack and immediately go swimming, then you may feel sick, and this is not the most pleasant feeling while swimming. If you plan to just splash in the water, then you don't have to worry about when you ate before. But if you're going for a vigorous swim, it's wiser to wait at least half an hour after eating before going into the water.

If you do not want to be limited to swimming in shallow water, but intend to swim in the open sea:

• If you are going swim deeper, remember that for this you must be a fairly confident and strong swimmer. High/low tide or current can take you far to the side, it is quite difficult to swim in the waves. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you will need a lot of strength, and adequately assess your training and physical capabilities.
• If you still decide to sail away from the coast, choose for yourself landmark on the coast. You will most likely be carried away by the current, the landmark will help you keep your course more accurately when you swim back.
• Follow weather forecast. In windless sunny weather, swimming in the sea is safe, but in thunderstorms and rain it is better to skip swimming, even if you are a fan of swimming in any weather. If it rains lightly, you can swim, but keep in mind that the danger of swimming in the sea in such weather is to reduce visibility, and a long swim may not be safe.
• If you are planning to sail far out to sea, the best thing you can do for your own safety is swim not alone, but with someone, a friend or just an acquaintance who wants to join you in your swim.

Dangerous marine life

Remember that the inhabitants of the seas can be dangerous. In different seas, living creatures that can harm a person also live in different ways. Therefore, I will talk about the dangerous inhabitants of each of the seas popular for recreation separately:

• How to sunbathe on the sea:

  • Most bad period for sunbathing and sunbathing - from 11 am to 4 pm.
  • Sunscreen on the beach should be applied regularly. If you spend hours on the beach without sunscreen, you are more likely to get burned. Apply sunscreen to your body before heading to the beach, and be sure to take it with you to use throughout the day. Water and sand are strong reflectors of the sun's rays, further increasing the chance of getting burned. Don't skimp on sunscreen, put on plenty of it to make sure your skin is safe.
  • Use waterproof sunscreen so that it does not wash off in water. It is best to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher with a broad spectrum of protection that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays.
  • Apply sunscreen at least thirty minutes before going out in the sun and then apply every two to three hours when you are already in the sun.
  • Do not forget apply sunscreen to all areas exposed to the sun. Use a lip balm with SPF protection, apply sunscreen on the ears and on the scalp where there is no hair. Even if you're wearing a T-shirt in the water, still apply sunscreen all over your body.
  • The skin around the eyes should be protected from the sun. dark glasses.

  Since the skin becomes dirty very quickly in summer, it is necessary to take care of its cleansing. After washing with warm water without soap, it is best to cleanse the skin with a tonic, and then apply a light texture moisturizer to it, since oily creams do not allow skin cells to "breathe".

  
  Water mediterranean sea. Cyprus, Protaras. The color of the water is absolutely fantastic, some kind of unreal, as if paint was poured into the water. The photo does not accurately convey the color, in fact it is even brighter.

  Benefits of sea air

  Sea air is a real source of health for a person. daily walks on the seashore can bring our body much more benefits than visiting a doctor and taking medication. That is why doctors recommend at least a two-week annual vacation at sea: the resulting health boost will strengthen the body's immune forces, raise the tone, which will last for a long time and help resist many infections throughout the year.

  Sea air is saturated with salts (iodine, sodium, sodium chloride), which our body perceives not only with breathing, but also with open areas of the skin. The absorption of these compounds promotes cell regeneration and maintenance of normal intracellular pressure, which is important for slowing down the aging process. In this regard, long walks along the coast are ideal for healing the body, when the sea is slightly agitated or after severe weather: at this time, the concentration of substances necessary for the body is maximum.

  The most suitable time for a walk along the coast is in the morning and sunset hours. During the walk, you can stop and perform simple breathing exercises. For example, slowly inhale the air, filling the stomach first, and then the chest. Then hold the exhalation for a few moments and completely empty both the chest and the diaphragm, while slightly bending the knees.

  After the sea, it is useful to take a walk among the trees: the air here is neutrally or negatively charged, which balances the positively charged air from the sea and has a calming effect.

Rest on the sea coast at all times was considered curative. Bathing in the sea, dosed tan, Fresh air- such a picture is close to idyllic. At the same time, many people believe that sea water has a general strengthening and therapeutic effect on the body in such an environment. This is not entirely true. Rest as such, and even more so, rest at sea is a whole range of useful procedures for a person. That is why the term thalassotherapy implies healing not only with sea water, but maritime climate generally. In a narrower sense, thalassotherapy refers to spa treatments using sea water, algae and therapeutic mud. However, there are many myths about sea water itself, some of which quite accurately reflect the real state of affairs, while others mislead people. Let's take a look at seven of the most popular myths about sea water.

Myth 1. Sea water contains the entire periodic table

In layman's terms, this is indeed the case. Sea water contains a large amount of mineral salts, and their composition and specific amount varies depending on the sea. Most salt is dissolved in the Dead Sea, one of the least saline is the Baltic Sea.

Sea water contains a lot of sodium, calcium, chlorine, sulfur, bromine, zinc, copper, iron, selenium and other trace elements. Minerals are found in sea water in ionized form and when bathing they penetrate the body through the skin.

Myth 2. Sea water cures all diseases

Of course, sea water is not a panacea, but it does have a therapeutic effect in various diseases. It is the presence of mineral salts that makes sea water useful for humans, their composition and quantity. The more salts in the sea, the healthier the water. Wherein healing properties possesses any sea water.

Regular water procedures at sea can save a person from osteochondrosis, rheumatism, joint pain, arthritis, arthrosis. Sea water stops inflammatory processes, allows you to recover from sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, eliminates the symptoms of gout, colitis, diarrhea,. Also, sea bathing stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the immune system, normalizes the nervous state of a person, eliminating and disinfecting the skin and allowing fungal diseases, etc.

It is important to understand that all the listed beneficial properties of sea water are not only the effect of salty liquid on the body, but a positive healing effect on the body of a whole range of procedures that a person receives while relaxing at sea.

Myth 3. Sea water disinfects

The water of the seas and oceans really has an antiseptic effect, which positively affects, among other things, the condition of human skin, but sea water is not at all sterile. You need to remember this in case you get hurt, and someone advises you to wash the wound with sea water, they say, it will disinfect and heal.

It should be borne in mind that despite its salt composition, sea water can also contain bacteria. Moreover, the coastline may not be completely clean. Also, coastal sea waters often mix with sewage. For this reason, you should not rely on the antiseptic effect of sea water, but rather wash the wound with clean fresh running water and use special disinfectants.

Myth 4. Sea water has cosmetic properties.

It really is. Moreover, the efficiency water procedures for the body lies not only in the composition of the water itself, but also in the movements that a person takes while bathing and swimming. In this case, we can talk about the anti-cellulite effect. It is supported by a general cleansing of the body at sea. Sea water gives the skin greater elasticity and smoothes it, tones the muscles and accelerates the processes of tissue regeneration,. It is believed that half an hour of swimming in the sea is comparable in its effect to a professional massage session.

The rich mineral composition of sea water has a beneficial effect on the nails on the hands and feet. Already on the third day of daily bathing, the nails become shiny, stop peeling and breaking, and without additional nutrition remain strong for several months.

Myth 5. After swimming in the sea, you should not take a shower.

Salts dissolved in water, as we have already found out, have a healing effect on the body, however, as they dry out, the benefits of these substances become less than the harm. The fact is that without a water base, salts are not able to penetrate through the pores of the skin into the body. Moreover, by crystallizing on the surface of the body, salt increases the risk of skin burns under the direct sunbeams. For this reason, after coming out of the sea and having dried a little, thereby allowing the salt water to soak into the skin, it is still better to take a warm or cool shower from fresh water.

By the way, scientists say that the body best absorbs useful material from sea water heated to 37°C. Under natural conditions, this is practically unattainable, but in some sanatoriums and other medical institutions, sea water is specially heated for this reason. However, even at normal water temperatures, the effect of thalassotherapy is quite noticeable with regular bathing.

Myth 6. It is useful to swim in the sea all day long.

We have already found out the best sea water temperature for the human body and realized that in natural conditions it is impossible to achieve such “indicators”. And since even in the warmest seas the water temperature is below body temperature, this is a limitation on bathing time. The fact is that even in the strongest heat in warm sea water, the body is able to get hypothermia, and the harm from such a bath will be more than good.

It is usually recommended to swim in the sea 3-4 times a day, taking at least half an hour breaks between entries into the water. At the same time, not the best option swim in the sea in the heat from noon to three in the afternoon. In this case, even being in the water, you can get skin burns and even sunstroke.

Other simple rules for swimming include the recommendation not to swim on a full stomach. It is better if at least an hour and a half passes after eating. Also, do not rush into the water after a long stay in the sun. From a sharp drop in body temperature, you can feel dizzy and even lose consciousness. It is better to enter the water gradually, and before that, if possible, allow the body to cool in the shade.

Myth 7. Sea water is good for all people.

Despite the general strengthening effect of thalassotherapy and a pronounced healing effect in certain diseases, there are contraindications for taking baths from sea water. First of all, this applies to people with thyroid diseases. The presence of a high concentration of iodine in sea water and air in this case can be harmful. However, recent studies suggest that this is not an absolute contraindication, as previously thought.

Sea bathing is prohibited for epilepsy, aneurysm, kidney disease, oncological diseases. Also, bathing in sea water is not recommended for people with an exacerbation of any chronic diseases.

Among other things, being at sea, do not neglect the means of protection from the sun. Observing simple rules, you can count on the fact that sea water, air and sun will not only give pleasure on vacation, but will also bring great benefits to the body with a lasting effect for several months to come.