By: Ronda Daly-Dolan
Most people will agree that walking on a beach is wonderfully peaceful. Lately I am realizing that searching for shells can also bring relaxation and tranquility. The color blue has been proven to produce relaxing responses in our brain. Blue has been used by psychologists and behaviorists to help relax their patients.
Recently, I hand-picked seashells from the beach to place on my mother in law’s grave instead of placing store-bought flowers there. On each shell, I wrote the names of every child, grandchild and even the names of our dogs so that our personalized seashells could rest on her gravesite in old Orchard Beach, Maine. Jane loved the beach so much and we thought – why not bring the beach to her! 😊 I am confident that she will be looking down and smiling; remembering all the special moments she had while visiting different beaches throughout her life.
We have what is referred to as “Blue Zone” activities in the community I reside in. The goal of these activities is to highlight staying active, healthy, and giving back to one another and the community. We have an amazing garden club that spends countless hours cleaning up, preparing, and maintaining a beautiful area surrounding our neighborhood, and we have a special butterfly garden that we can enjoy every day. They say that gardening is the epitome of a blue zone activity.
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” – William Londen
Walking the beach beside the whisper of blue waves, peacefully searching for seashells can also equate to a “Blue Zone” activity and heal the soul.
Are there activities you perform that heal your soul?
About the Author
Ronda Daly-Dolan is the Sales Director/Client Relations Manager who thrives on meeting new people/Schools and loves introducing them to how FAS/Genesis can work for them. During her days off, she loves to be outdoors: either biking, walking on the beach, taking an exercise class and especially walking her little dog Lily!