Marine Moments

The beach today

Nothing is as it first appears: Never is this truism more apparent than on a beach. Stand still, and spin slowly on the spot and have a look.

Did you know?

Looking for the positive: Finding that little slither of blue sky on a rainy day can improve your mental health and make you feel happier. The reasons for this are complex, but generally it is believed that by finding something positive to focus upon protects your body from the damaging impact of stress. Stress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.

It is much harder than it sounds to find a positive in the gloom, especially if we are tired and depressed. However, just one baby step at a time, the next time it rains, or we have a storm, get out in it; turn all round and see if in one direction you can see a lightening and glimmer of sun or sky – it will be there somewhere, soon. Just practice looking. It helps you to start the process of seeking some comfort and rest for yourself in positivity, colour and good cheer. If you can smile when you see the blue sky – then you will feel a hundred times better!

Did you know that smiles are magic? Even if you don’t feel happy on the outside, smiling can improve your mood – magic! Try it.

Reflective moment

A different perspective: Looking in one direction the world may seem grey, or even black and stormy, but view things from a different perspective and you may be able to find some blue sky. That is why walking the beach, whatever the weather, is so liberating: It allows you to walk fast, match your energy with that of the waves and wind, and let the mind free – free to step outside its own problems, review things from a distance, or a different direction: Is there an alternative way to view things? Perhaps things only seem so black because we are standing facing that way, whilst if we stand and view things the other way round, it doesn’t look so bad.

The sound of the sea today

Today the waves had competition from the church bells. The sounds interlace and I found that my mind enjoyed ‘tick-tock-ing” between the two: Firstly I listened to the lazy roll of the bells and then tuned in to the shush of the waves, then back again – it filled the mind and allowed all busy thoughts to be pushed out for a moment in time. I wish the same for you.