by Shelly Barclay

Created on: May 03, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

The stresses and worries in our everyday lives keep most of us from ever feeling truly and deeply at peace. We compromise our peace of mind so that we may be more efficient. A lot of us need to find some peace of mind every now and then so that our stresses don't affect our lives and our health. For those of us lucky enough to live close to the shore, the beach can be a great place to let your stresses fall away and allow nature to bring you inner peace.

In times of stress and worry the beach is like a warm hug enveloping you in sensation and sound and allowing you to bask in its beauty. At the beach, the land you walk on everyday sinks beneath the sea and becomes part of a world just beyond our reach. The beach is a place where you can truly appreciate the vastness of the world and see that sometimes we need to step out of our little clustered lives and look at the bigger picture.

The sounds of the beach are ancient lullabies. They are so constant and peaceful that a hectic mind may allow itself to be lulled by them. When luck has it and the wind is blowing, be it chaotic or gentle, its sound only adds to the sounds of the ocean, making them even more soothing. You can just lay there and all of the peace and beauty of the ocean will soothe you and it asks for nothing in return.

When your life is plagued with turmoil the beach can act as a safe haven from the world. You can stand alone with your bare feet buried in warm sand and achieve utter anonymity. There is no pressure to achieve, no expectations to be met, only an open invitation to bask in nature's glory. You may find inner peace knowing that the sea is moved by no man and some beautiful things can happen if you just take a step back and watch. You don't have to control anything or let anything control you, all you have to do is breathe in the fresh air.

Many of us can hardly remember what it was like to have no worries on our minds. We go through our lives making mental lists of things we must get done. A lot of us find ourselves wondering why our lives are so hectic or why we can never seem to find any time for ourselves. Next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or even ill from the stress in your life, find a beach. Leave your work at the office. Let your friends and family fend for themselves and allow yourself to be swept away by nature's oldest music and her most comforting sensations.

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