By Connie Leinbach, OcracokeObserver.com
Negative ions caused by crashing water can elevate our feeling of well-being, and so, apparently, can walking in the woods.
A growing number of studies show that when people are exposed to negative ions — electrically charged particles that occur when air is under the influence of energy sources such as crashing waves or waterfalls — they feel better, owing to negative ions raising the brain’s serotonin (happy hormone) levels.
Apparently, forest trees can also impart beneficial substances.