Saturday Night’s Alright For Commenting: 9.19.2020

Have you ever had the conversation of “Where would you rather vacation: beach or mountains?” A lot of folks fall squarely into one camp or the other. Some spend the entire year dreaming of sitting in the sand, sunning themselves, and listening to the inexorable march of crashing waves against the shore.

Other experts attribute the draw of the beach to the radiating negative ions that come from the surf. Taking a “bath” in this negative ion wave has a variety of positive impacts on the body and mind, including:

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• Elevated mood
• Enhanced immune system
• Revitalized metabolism

But what does going to the mountains do for us? Some research has shown that being in the mountains also offers a number of health benefits:

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• Altitude lowers the risk of heart disease
• Altitude staves off obesity
• Mountain air promotes better rest and reduces stress levels

With all that in mind, there is no wrong answer. Those who love the beach and feel drawn there might have an innate ability to listen to what their body needs in terms of mood elevation and metabolism revitalization. Those who live for the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Appalachians, or some other elevated peaks might just need some help with heart health or stress relief.

Either way, it’s good to stop and consider how good it is we live in a nation where we can freely travel to either locale when we want to do so. In fact, next time you get spun out with current news events, politics, or even the fact that Bill O’Brien can’t call a proper play on 4th and Short, leaving Deshaun Watson and crew to flounder, just imagine you’re at the beach or in the mountains. Then be thankful we live in a country that allows us the freedom to enjoy them both at will.

All that aside, it’s Saturday night. Time to kick back and go off topic. Enjoy.