How to Enhance Mood with Negative Ions

Negative ions have shown health benefits to humans because they bring us into balance and help our bodies breathe. Essentially, regular exposure to high-density negative ions is a similar physical experience to that provided by sunlight, waterfalls or the ocean. Ions are particles that have gained or lost an electrical charge, as in the movement of water. This causes the ocean to have a balancing effect on the charge of the human body, which kicks our physical systems into motion. A body in motion is a body with a healthy mood.

People's claims of being brought into tune with nature can be partially explained by science in that places with moving water, wind and sun contain plenty of negative ions, where the insides of houses and so forth contain next to none. Research has shown that seasonal depression can be effectively treated with exposure to negative ions, and that it also can play an invaluable role in treating more serious cases of depression and other nervous disorders. One may also be familiar with "lightning moods" after a thunderstorm, which is old traditional proof of the benefits of ion exposure.

The best way to get negative ions is to go outside. Exposure to ions is complemented by the natural detoxification process engaged by sweating during any exercise or sun exposure, and the cleansing exposure to the salts and compounds in the ocean, if possible, also complements the intake of ions. Negative ions are just a tiny piece of the feeling of wellbeing experienced outside of our houses.

Otherwise there are a variety of products available to produce negative ions near the body -namely jewelry -and inside buildings. The jewelry being sold contains two minerals, tourmaline and zeolite, which produce ions when shaken. Magnetic titanium is also popular, because the magnetic field can break the air up into ions. Wearing any precious stone on the body can be beneficial, as the stone will leach into the wearer's skin.

Where a physician may talk of employing a costly high-density negative ion machine, because it's quick, one can produce ions in the home as well. Arguably the easiest way to produce ions is by changing the states of water (hence the ocean and waterfalls), even if just the moisture in the air. Ionizers of varying scale are available online and in stores for as little as fifteen dollars for the pocket-sized ones. Companies like Essick, The Sharper Image and Ionic Pro offer systems that can ionize all the air in the house. This way one can still enjoy negative ions when stuck indoors.

Sources:

Lake, James. Textbook of Integrative Mental Health Care. Thieme 2007. Accessed from Google Books.