Riding the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls last year was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I’d been to Niagara a couple of times before and had always loved feeling the spray and listening to the thunder as the water washed over the falls, but nothing prepared me for the life changing sense of renewal I felt as our boat was maneuvered closer and closer to the falls.
Feeling the spray of the water, I felt as if my very bones were being washed clean and that 50 years of accumulated nasty energy was being stripped from my very soul. Standing on the side of the boat closest to the water, I was drenched by the cool, clean water of the falls, but the cleansing was more than that as every sense was engaged through the roar of the falls, the feel of the mist on my skin, the sight of the water tumbling over the rocks, the taste of the water as I licked the mist from my lips, and the smell of freshness in the air.
I felt as if I was a changed person after leaving the falls and research shows that the negative ions associated with waterfalls, rain, and showers do have significant health benefits. Negative ions are created in nature when energy molecules or broken down by moving air or water or even by sunlight. Studies have shown that negative ions balance the serotonin levels in our blood and improve our mental functioning, improve our physical health by boosting the immune system, and cleaning our environment. All of these things can help us feel rejuvenated. An article at WebMD says, “Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.”
I’d heard about negative ions before and I’ve always believed they have some health benefits, but it wasn’t until I stood in the mist of Niagara Falls that I felt the true rejuvenating effects of the falls and realized exactly how powerful they were. Since my trip last summer, I’ve been longing to go back and feel that super charged energy rushing through me again, but for a variety of reasons, I haven’t been able to head back. However, I’ve found some substitute sources to get my negative ions fixed and while none have provided the same rejuvenation effect, they’ve all helped to some degree.
Waterfalls, Lakefronts, and Fountains
Niagara Falls is one of the biggest generators of negative ions, according to Fred Soyka, author of The Ion Effect, but the creation of negative ions isn’t limited to Niagara. All waterfalls and natural places create some negative ions. Sitting along the shore and soaking up the spray is a great way to get a serotonin boost. One of my favorite and easiest ways, to get my fix is to sit along the lake front and feel the waves come in. I’m especially fond of the 35th Street Beach in Chicago on days when the waves are coming in and pounding into the breakwater. Sitting and watching the waves hit the wall and feeling the mist from the water is incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating. The key to getting maximum negative ions is to sit somewhere where the water hits the rocks hard and generates maximum spray.
If you’re not blessed with waterfalls or lakefronts, fountains are another great source of negative ions. I learned this last summer when I spent an evening wandering around Columbus, I spent some time wading and sitting by fountains and I ended up feeling totally cleansed and rejuvenated.
Rain
From soft summer showers to raging thunderstorms, rain clears the air and creates negative ions. These negative ions are, in part, the reason that everything seems so fresh and clean after a raging storm. The rain and the lightening create negative ions that induce us to sing in the rain, jump in puddles, and generally feel good about life. While being out in a thunderstorm might be a little dangerous, you can get the same effects by sitting on a snug porch watching nature’s light show or going out and jumping in puddles after the rain.
Showers
If you’re in need of a serious negative ion fix now and don’t have time to drive to a waterfall or wait for a rainstorm, you can take advantage of your own personal negative ion generator: Your shower. As Dr. Bob Mcauley said on his blog, “The average household shower produces a substantial amount of negative ions , which is one of the reasons why people often feel better after showering.” I’ve found that the best way to reap the benefits of negative ions in a shower is to visualize the warm water cleansing away not only the physical grime, but also the energetic grime accumulated throughout our days in the busy modern world. As I stand under the shower, I imagine all this nastiness going down the drain. It seems to work as when I walk out of the shower I do feel rejuvenated.
Conclusion
When you’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed by all that life has to throw at you, take a few minutes to recharge and breathe in negative ions. Even if you don’t have time for a full blown shower, I’ve found that taking a few minutes to run your hands under cool running water can help alleviate stress and soothe the soul. Another easy way to get the benefits of negative ions is to make a copy of tea and inhale the steam into your soul. 
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