Tags
beach, Dublin, holidays, Ireland, miscellaneous, random, sun, thougths, travel, vacation, weather, weather woman
Yesterday the weather woman told Ireland that July had been the wettest, bleakest, coldest and dullest one of modern times, and when I look out of my window August looks to be following in July’s footsteps in a big pair of wellies.
The next segment on the news was about the surge in people booking package deal holidays and how small loans applications had gone up. Normally most people book their sunny trips back in January but this year July has been the busiest month with people hopping on flights last minute style, suitcase in hand and dusty sunglasses perched on their heads.
Of course we all know that the sun can effect our emotions, helping our brains produce serotonin, the happy hormone, making our moods rise with the temperature. For us Irish that means we got stuck somewhere in spring and since then our moods have been at an all time low, along with our finances and the sun.
Beside the loss of sun people need breaks from there everyday life. We need time to relax, wind down and be the person we really want to be, maybe its a beach bum or babe, maybe its a sky- or a scuba diver, maybe we just want to spend time painting, writing or indulging in hours of other fantastic hobbies reflecting the true us.
Studies have even shown that it is not just a break we need but actually spending time on the beach is good for us. Why is unclear, but the sound of the waves lapping up on the beach, sand between our toes and the sun making the water sparkle and glisten seems to affect us more positively than a stroll in the park or a weekend in any great city would. That we feel happier and more relaxed when walking on the beach or sunbathing beside the sea seems to just be hardwired into us.
So maybe the fleeing Irish are really just following the lure or the sea and by taking time away from the wet world of Ireland they will come home, happier, healthier and much more able for a probably equally wet winter ahead.
jensinewall 
Raining here today as well and a beach sounds pretty good right about now! Alas, I have to wait until February for that pleasure….
I may have to go somewhere to be able to get a bit f sun but no money this year and it’s going o be a long wait till next … sigh
Cloudy here, but the sun peeks out every once in awhile. I’ve heard the positive ions or something like that (being around water) is why people love to be around it. Don’t scream at me, but I’ve lived in places where it’s sunny almost ALL THE TIME and really, that gets old too!
Maybe I was born on a thundery day because I really, really love thunderstorms. Hope the sun comes out soon for you, J!
I don’t mind the rain … just a bit of sun would be nice now and then 🙂
First I have to say, I’ve always wanted to come to Ireland! I wouldn’t care if it’s sunny, wet, or dry I just want to be there.
It’s so true what you say about weather. I live in the southern United States and this summer the heat is unbearable even for people who are used to it. We get so much sun that we are forced to stay inside all day. But, for a few weeks it was cloudy, cool, and it rained almost every day. It was definitely some weird weather. People loved it at first, but then eventually wanted to the sun and the heat back. I really didn’t, but people were tired of it being gloomy. Weather definitely has an impact on your mood.
I also found that a beach is one of the most relaxing places to be. I wonder if throughout human history, beaches have always provided humans with relaxation. They could sit on the sand and eat tasty sea food and listen to the waves and swim. It didn’t matter what year it was, it was always great.
Thanks for posting!
glad you enjoyed … and too much of one thing can always make you want something else.
I don’t really mind the rain but i would like a few weeks of sun for a change.
Come to Ireland it is a lovely place no matter the weather
Our summer has been unseasonably warm. Actually, incredibly hot is more like it. I’ve spent far too much time indoors or sweating profusely. I wish I could send you some warmth and sunshine!
would love the swap … but hope you get to sit outside in the cooler evening hours
I’m well over our cold wet winter and hoping that the sun will really warm up soon. When I moved here 10 years ago there had already been about 7 years of drought, there were areas that used to be lakes that were now meadows and it was pretty warm. For the past two years, it has rained and been cold…well not 2 years straight…but it feels that way! The lakes are all over-flowing with water and I am wondering if it will ever be warm again. I NEED the sunshine!
me too … maybe we should run away to the dessert for a week of so
It actually sounds like a great idea!
We are heading to Spain in October and I can’t wait to get down south and enjoy some nice weather even in their Autumn.
lucky you … enjoy
My husband and I left Arizona because it was too hot, too sunny and the lack of all four seasons just bothered me so much. We moved to Washington, where I was born and raised, and still after almost ten years of living here the darkness and gray of winter bothers me. The sun is a powerful thing and the beach amazing. I would love nothing more than a trip to a warm sunny beach where I could lounge about and sip Pimms and lemonade under a big floppy hat.
me too .. oh well maybe next year 🙂
Weather really does affect us and escaping continual wet or cold weather seems to be what we do…Usually every spring we try to get away for a couple of weeks to leave the cold winter of Canada behind…Diane
Wishing you some sun soon. 🙂
thanks we had a little today hope it holds
Great post! I know I feel like a whole new person when I am at the beach!!
me too … maybe monday if the sun comes out to play