Why Nautical Decor May Actually Help Your Body and Brain Relax -- No Beach Required!

To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim – the rocks – the motion of the waves – the ships, with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?- Walt Whitman

What's the big deal with the beach, anyway? Why do people fill their home with nautical decorations just to feel like they're back on the beach during summer vacation?

The "obsession" that people have with beaches isn't just a trend -- in fact, there are real reasons why being at the ocean -- a miracle created by Mother Nature -- can instantly help you de-stress.

The one obvious reason why being at the beach brings a sense of relaxation is simply that you aren't at work (although, with the growth in smartphone usage recently, you might end up doing work on vacation anyway if you aren't careful). Being out in nature produces a sense of unity and calmness in the human brain, and chemicals like endorphins are released which make you feel happy.

Listening to waves rolling into the shoreline is another way that being on the beach calms you down because the methodical rhythm isn't too overpowering or intrusive. Squeezing the sand between your toes is something that just feels comforting for some reason, and the smell of saltwater is incredibly powerful -- not to mention that it helps the human body heal, and it's the source of life for entire ecosystems.

Everything about the beach is nature's way of reassuring humans that everything will work out. Just like Walt Whitman once said in "Leaves of Grass," the beach and the ocean are a miracle and a reminder that life goes on, even in the worst of times.

So now the question is, how can you find that relaxing sensation even when you're as far from summer vacation as could be? The easiest way is probably to incorporate some fresh nautical decorations into your living space, of course!

You don't have to adorn every wall with life preservers and porthole clocks, or fill your bathroom with pirate decor; simple designs and nautical items can do the trick while still allowing you to express your personal style.

And considering how much the beach can influence your emotional and physical wellbeing, don't you think it's time to redecorate a bit? Even though American consumers spend about $65.2 billion on home furnishings each year, only one in every five Americans (20%) is happy with their current interior decor, while 14% are actually stressed out by their decorations.

With nautical decorations, you won't just avoid feeling stressed by your interior style -- you'll be reminded, each day, of feeling completely at peace.