8-08-2023 8:33am

La Spiaggia (The Beach)

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - LA SPIAGGIA (THE BEACH)

Few places offer us tranquility and peace like being at the beach. La Spiaggia. Looking out on the ocean is transcending. Your worries disappear and you feel like you're in a meditative state of mind. So what is it about the beach that creates this feeling?

Listening to the waves activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes us more relaxed. In addition, the negative ions in the sea breeze have a mood-boosting effect. Long associated with feelings of peace and calm, the color blue has also been shown to enhance creativity.

The other part of the relaxing effect that the ocean sounds have on us is due to something called “acoustic camouflage”. This is a passive sound that drowns out a lot of other noises and distractions and helps to clear our minds of anxieties and other pressing concerns.

This means that we, in effect, have an audio mask that covers over external and internal noises that could stimulate our brain in a negative or overactive way. Listening to the sounds created by water, whether it is the crashing of the waves, the tropical rain, or the peace of the underwater world, can bring us peace, and a feeling of safety or security.

Both when we are awake and asleep, our minds understand sounds differently. Some are registered as alarming noises that require our attention. Examples of these threatening sounds that alert us could be when you hear a morning alarm clock, a scream, or a loud bang.

Other noises and sounds however are not registered in this same way. Instead, they are accepted by our brains as nonthreatening audio vibrations. When we hear these noises that we naturally recognized to be of no threat or danger, it is like we are hearing a constant noise that is telling our brains “Do not worry. It is ok. There is nothing to be concerned about. Everything is fine.” Therefore, the slow whooshing sounds of the waves hitting the soft sandy shore are a comfort to our minds as it is constantly assuring us that we are safe. How amazing is that.

A day by the beach can do wonders to relieve your stress and anxiety. If you can, try to take a couple of weeks in a row off and head to the beach. Any beach. They're everywhere on Long Island, and each has something special to offer. The one thing they have in common in calming waters and soothing breezes. It's a beautiful way to live. No matter the season, Long Island beaches are just moments from your doorstep. Esci e vai in paradiso. Step outside and into paradise.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, the beach can be a place to unwind and feel free like you did when you were younger.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - SHINNECOCK EAST COUNTY PARK

On a recent trip out east on Long Island, we spent the day at Shinnecock East County Park. We met some friends there and set our chairs up on the shoreline. This is a four-wheel beach for the most part, but you can park and walk down to the ocean if you just want to spend a day here. It's worth the walk.

Flanking the eastern border of the Shinnecock Inlet where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, this rugged, undeveloped barrier beach park includes both ocean and bay beach recreation areas. Shinnecock is a favorite spot for striped bass fishing. Off-road recreational vehicles may drive on the outer (ocean) beach. 100 campsites on the outer beach are available to self-contained campers with a valid Suffolk County Parks Green Key Card. No tent camping is permitted. A small parking lot is available for Green Key card holders (like me) who do not have an Outer Beach Recreational Vehicle Permit. Vehicles with Suffolk County Parks Outer Beach Recreational Vehicle Permit must park on the beach. This place is heaven!

For more information, visit https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Our-Parks/Shinnecock-….

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What's your favorite beach?

Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - ON THE BEACH by CHRIS REA

LYRICS

Between the eyes of love, I call your name
Behind the guarded walls I used to go
Upon a summer wind, there's a certain melody
Takes me back to the place that I know

On the beach, On the beach, Yeah

The secrets of the summer I will keep
The sands of time will blow a mystery
No one but you and I underneath that moonlit sky
Take me back to the place that I know

On the beach, Yeah, Yeah, On the beach, On the beach, On the beach

Forever in my dreams my heart will be
Hanging on to this sweet memory
A day of strange desire
And a night that burned like fire
Take me back to the place that I know

On the beach, Yeah, On the beach, On the beach, On the beach

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