Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – There is plenty of science that connects happiness to Puerto Vallarta, which makes a lot of sense for those who live here or visit the area often. And a theory that even first-time visitors experience from the moment they arrive.
The beaches
Research finds that spending time by the ocean is pretty good for your wellbeing. In fact, according to an analysis of English census data published in the journal Health Place, those who live by the coast report better physical and mental health than those who don’t.
And in a study published in the Journal of Coastal Zone Management, participants who live in homes with ocean views report feeling calmer than those without them.
When it comes to why, exactly, the beach calms you, there are a few factors at play, says Richard Shuster, PsyD, clinical psychologist and host of The Daily Helping podcast.
“The color blue has been found by an overwhelming amount of people to be associated with feelings of calm and peace,” says Shuster. “Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state.” A study published in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s journal even found that blue is associated with a boost of creativity.
Plus, that consistent ebbing and flowing you hear as you lie on your towel under an umbrella? “It kind of de-stimulates our brains,” says Shuster. The noises — coupled with the visuals — activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is “responsible for slowing us down and allowing us to relax and feel more engaged,” says Sally Nazari, PsyD, owner of Chrysalis Psychological Services and host of the podcast Beyond the Couch.
The smell of the ocean breeze also contributes to your soothed state, which may have something to do with the negative ions in the air that you’re breathing in. These oxygen atoms have an extra electron and occur in places like waterfalls and the ocean, says Shuster. A study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine suggests that negative ion therapy could be used to treat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Finally, the simple act of touching the sand makes you feel all fuzzy. “The physical sensation of putting your feet in warm sand causes people to relax,” says Shuster.
The sun
It turns out “sunny disposition” is more than just an expression: Researchers at BYU found more mental health distress in people during seasons with little sun exposure. On the contrary, days with plenty of sunshine were associated with better mental health — in fact, the availability of sunshine has more impact on mood than rainfall, temperature, or any other environmental factor.
Getting some sun increases your serotonin and helps you stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and sun exposure can also help people with anxiety and depression, especially in combination with other treatments.
Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have a lack of sunny days!
Better sleep
As it turns out, exposure to the sun also results in better sleep… and better sleep results in greater happiness.
That serotonin you soak up from the sun’s rays does more than boost your mood – it might also help you get more restful sleep at night. Working in tandem with serotonin is melatonin, a chemical in your brain that lulls you into slumber and one that sun also helps your body produce. Suffering from insomnia? Try to stick to traditionally light and dark cycles, getting sunlight during the day so you can catch some zzz’s at night.
Sleep and mood are closely connected; poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.
The friendliest people
Puerto Vallarta is known for the kindness of the people, and as it turns out, kindness given and received actually has a positive impact on our mood. And the Mayo Clinic has the science to back that up.
Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone, which directly impacts stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others, which can directly impact loneliness, improve low mood and enhance relationships in general. It also can be contagious. Looking for ways to show kindness can give you a focus activity, especially if you tend to be anxious or stressed in some social situations.
Physiologically, kindness can positively change your brain. Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure/reward centers in your brain to light up. Endorphins, which are your body’s natural pain killer, also can be released.
So it’s no wonder why the people of Puerto Vallarta are known as the friendliest people in the world, they are happy!
The food
There has been an increase in studies between food and happiness, and wouldn’t you know that foods used in Puerto Vallarta gastronomy seem to top the list? Fresh fish and shellfish.
The science of happiness has turned up evidence that food can make you happy. However, a lack of certain foods — or at least some of their essential ingredients — can actually make you sad. A fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most abundant fat found in the brain. This is good, since it’s an essential building block for brain structure. It’s also easy to get; two major sources of DHA are fish and shellfish. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) uncovered a link between DHA deficiency and an increase in the prevalence of depression in the United States.
And while seafood is a common meal in Puerto Vallarta, there are other Mexican foods that have proven to create happiness.
In a recent survey, 38% of people declared that eating a taco brings them instant happiness and satisfaction. While that isn’t exactly a scientific study, I don’t know many people who would disagree with those results.
And Mexico’s greatest export to the world is known to bring happiness across the globe, chocolate.
Chocoholics, rejoice! Science has confirmed what many of us knew all along: Chocolate makes us feel good. Cocoa beans contain flavonoids—powerful antioxidants derived from plants that have been shown to improve your mood. A 2016 Nurses’ Health study of more than 80,000 women in midlife and older with a history of depression found that eating foods with flavonoids was linked with a lower risk of experiencing it.
Article photo by @paigeschmiidt
Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - There is plenty of science that connects happiness to Puerto Vallarta, which makes a lot of sense for those who live here . . .
