Visiting the beach can change your brain in an incredible way

We all know that spending time outdoors is good for you on both a physical and mental level, but the benefits of spending time specifically at the beach have just been revealed.

That incredible feeling of peace and calmness that you experience at the beach is now being referred to as “blue space.” That’s what scientists have dubbed the effect that the combination of soothing smells and sounds of water have on your brain. The blue space is enough to make you feel at ease in a hypnotic sort of way.

When you notice how relaxed you feel at the beach, it’s not just all in your head. Science says that it’s a change in the way your brain reacts to its environment leaving you feeling happy, relaxed and reenergized.

Overall, this blue space effects you in four different ways.

1. Going to the beach reduces stress.

Water is nature’s cure to life’s stressors. It’s full of naturally occurring positive ions that are known for having the ability to make you feel at ease. So whether you jump in for a swim or simply dip your toes in the water, you’re sure to experience a feeling of relaxation. That’s one instant mood booster we could all use from time to time!

2. The beach boosts your creativity.

Feeling like you’re in a creative rut? Well, scientists now believe that the solution to this is the beach. Being in blue space allows you to clear your head and approach problems or projects in a more creative way. Much like meditation, the beach triggers a feeling of calmness that allows you to tune everything else out and reflect on what it is you’ve been needing to focus on.

3. Going to the beach can help reduce feelings of depression

Much like the effects that the beach has on feelings of stress and creative ruts, the beach also provides some relief to feelings of depression. The hypnotic sound of the waves in combination with the sight and smells of the beach can put you into a meditative space. In turn, you can clear your mind and reflect on life in a safe space away from the chaos of your daily life.

4. Overall, spending time at the beach will change your perspective on life.

And that perspective is going to change for the better! Nature in general has always been a factor in healthy happy lives, but the beach in particular is so good for the soul.

So grab the SPF and pack a picnic, because it’s time to head to the beach!

http://shareably.net/visiting-the-beach/

Have You Ever Contemplated Moving to an Island & Leaving it all Behind?

Well, I have and not only did I contemplate it, but I did it for FIVE years. Pretty wild, I know. I heard it all the time, especially from my friends still living in major cities like LA and NYC.

"What? Are you crazy? Your going to live there?' 

"Your staying longer?'

"When are you planning to come back to the real world?"

I still remember them asking, while I chuckled to myself from the  "non " real part of the world. What was so bad about leaving it all behind? What was I really leaving behind? Pollution? Stress? Unrealistic social ideals? Traffic? Small Talk? A concrete jungle? Instead, I feel I had gained things I would have never be able to find in a city. Like a piece of mind for example. You have any idea how hard those are to come across these days with all the distractions a city has to offer! I also gained some fresh clean tropical air! I bet you didn't see that coming. Yes, my fake part of the world had some really fresh air. And to top it all off I gained TIME! This I must say was one of my most prized possession. I'll get into the importance of time in a later post. But,  to gain time in a literal sense is something priceless. I gained time to think, sit, breathe, cook my own meals, explore new hobbies, watch the sunset and rise.  I gained time for times' own sake. 

Moving to an Island and leaving it all behind was the biggest gain of my life. Now, I won't lie. It is not an easy thing to do and it does require some patience.  You see, Island people, because they have so much time-- they tend to take their time-- with everything. From New York City to Dominican Republic the time it took to get a cup of coffee in a coffee shop could drive someone mad. But 'Hey' in exchange for some fresh air-- its okay. You learn to deal. It was hot living on an island so who needs hot coffee anyway...

Most importantly, I must say living on an island really allowed me to stop, think, reflect and figure out what I wanted most from life. Something that I had a very hard time doing in a city. I feel like I was never really doing what I wanted to do.  Instead, I feel like I was always doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing (according to the media/masses). In a city your perception of reality is really distorted.  Your start believing that the things portrayed on television are real. You convince yourself  that success only means money and fame. That people are means to an end and that conversations should be a calculated exchange of boast and praise.

Done were the days where I identified with the social ideals of no one I really knew but myself. By moving to an island I decided to redefine the social constructs that had so indiscreetly hindered me and my true potential. I learned to believe in myself, value my own beliefs, appreciate time, nature and life.  And, with that,  I realized that I had my own definition of success and they had nothing to do with money or fame. 

Amozonic Fruits That Will Change Your Life

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Did you know that Peru is the country with the most national dishes? And that they have 3000 different potatoes and thousand of fruits and vegetables that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. Perhaps the Amazon plays an important part in the country’s great variety, biodiversity and growth. Due to the density of its vegetation and close proximity of the trees, the amazon over thousands of years has been able to form a strong and large interconnected network. If you didn't know— now you know— trees “talk”. And by talk I mean they communicate underground through a dense channels of roots and veins that extends out in all directions. They also help each other out; exchange nutrients, water and vitamins similar to knocking on your neighbors door for some extra sugar. Its truly magical! 

These are some pretty “Amazonic” fruits that I have discovered.

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LUCUMA tastes as if a sweet potatoes and maple syrup had a child. This subtropical fruit is native to Peru and is known as well as "the last gold of the Incas". Images of it have been found on the ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures. Thats pretty “Amazonic” if you ask me.

Note: Contains beta carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium, and protein. Lucuma oil helps support wounds by activating healing factors within the skin.

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CHIRIMOYA in English that translates to Custard Apples. Now imagine that these heart shaped apples taste like a banana,pineapple, peach and strawberry milk shake. The only down side to this fruit is that it has about 40 seeds inside that make devouring this “Amazonic" treat a very slow process!

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CAMU CAMU is native to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest this fruit has a taste similar to a sour cheery and lime. It is ideal for juices, jams, ice creams or yogurts and super high in Vitamin C content, 50 times that of an orange! 

Note: In Peru natural medicines containing Camu Camu are used as antioxidants and anti-depressant as well as for stress relieve and the treatment of flu symptoms.

AGUAJE grow in Moriche palm trees native to the tropical Amazon regions of Peru. These fruits have an outside texture very similar to that of a pineapple except they are reddish-purple-brown in color. Inside a thin layer of a firm, yellowish-orange pulp covers a large seed and can be eaten raw.

Note: The pulp of aguajes is extremely rich in essential fatty acids and has a high Vitamin a and C content. The oil extracted from the Moriche Palm fruit is called Buriti and is used to treat burns.

TUMBO looks like a banana hijacked a passion fruit. and, like the passion fruit tends to be quiet acidic and tart, therefore seldomly it is eaten raw. 

Note: It is low in calories, and yet is rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron and vitamins A, B, and C. The tumbo is also known for having therapeutic properties; it works against kidney stones, urinary tract problems, and stomach aches. It is abundant with vitamin C, an anti-oxidant which safeguards you from the harm free-radicals cause, avoiding premature aging as well as keeping the immune system powerful.

THE TUNA also known as cactus fruit or prickly pear thankfully tastes nothing like Tuna! instead, the bright red purple insides that it contains many small seeds tastes more like a juicy, extra sweet watermelon! 

Note: The tuna is believed to lower the cholesterol and blood sugar level as well as having antioxidant properties.

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PEPINO DULCE taste like a sweet cucumber and it is native to the temperate Andean regions of Peru. Pepinos have a flavor of a combination of honey melons and cucumber and are very tasty. 

Note: They can be eaten raw and often used in fruit salads, breakfast cereals or as dessert.

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AGUAYMANTO also known as Tomatito Silvestre, Tomatillo, Capulí or in the US as Peruvian cherry or cape gooseberry. The fruit is native to high altitude areas in Peru where it still grows wild and has been cultivated at least since Inca times. This cherry like fruit although it easily disguises under its none edible paper like skin has a sweet and sour taste.

Note: This fruit contains high levels of Vitamin A, B and C and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

DRESS ABSTRACT: A Fashion Statement That Matters

Did you know that 14 million tons of clothes per year end up in US landfills or incinerators? Yes, that's 14 million tons of unwanted clothes that people no longer need or want just tossed away. That's about 80 pounds per person, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  However, unlike banana peels, old clothes don't compost, even if they are made out of natural fibers. Most clothes go through many different processes before they become the clothes you wear on your back. They are bleached, dyed and printed on using many chemicals. Once they reach our landfills they may threaten the groundwater and if they are incinerated they release toxins into the air. Who would have thought that keeping up with the latest trends could be so toxic.

Fast fashion and cheap clothes are imposing new and unforeseen problems not only to the world, but also to our health. What if instead of buying clothes that wear and tear, you could buy a timeless piece that would never need to be thrown away and that would transcend all fashion trends for generations to come? Not a bad idea right? Well thats exactly what professional artist Nima Veiseh had in mind when he designed his new brand Dress Abstract in 2014. As a former doctoral researcher in Design and Sustainable Economics, it became clear to Nima during his studies that there were two important opportunities to help sustainability in the clothing industry.

http://magazine.ivy.com/2015/12/nima-veiseh/

Firstly, he would design clothes that would never need to be thrown away. Secondly, he would do that by employing neglected refugee talent within the US. Nima believes that immigrants are the foundation of America and to ignore them and their talents would be counter productive for a sustainable future. Therefore, when you Dress Abstract, you're actually helping displaced artists and hard-working refugees build a life in America. Since then, Dress Abstract has become the brand where art meets fashion in a new stylish sustainable way.

"Clothes is just another canvas," Nima claims.

Each piece is actually a fabulous work of art that has been carefully transformed into clothing. Then they are numbered, inspected, signed and given a Certificate to guarantee their authenticity. And, if you ever get tired of an item and feel the need to throw it away, they will send you a free shipping label to return it for a gift certificate towards your next purchase. Now that's a fashion statement I think anyone can work with! 

If your interested in viewing some items by Dress Abstract visit our Boutique where we have carefully selected timeless sustainable products for you. Shop now and dress like it Matters!