Negative Ions
People often say, "There's something in the air." Intuitively, most people can sense there is an innate difference between the natural, fresh air one breathes in the countryside or mountains and that of their home, car, or office. Air in the outdoors, away from cities is crisp and light, while circulated air might be described as stale or dry. That 'something in the air' is the negative ion, a molecule that has gained an extra electron. Unspoiled air has a high concentration of negative ions that exist in balance with positive ions, or molecules that have lost an electron. Exposure to negative ions (also called happy ions) can lift your spirit, boost your energy, and improve your mood. In times of high stress, breathing air with a large number of negative ions can help regulate sleep patterns and appetite.
An excess of positive ions is produced in most suburban and urban settings because of electronics, synthetic fabrics, air traveling over metal, high-tension wires, static electricity, and highly filtered air, which upset the air's natural ion balance. The results can sometimes be seen as headaches, lethargy, and seasonal depression. But the effects can be countered simply by walking in the woods, in a park, or by the sea, wearing and using natural fibers, sitting more than a foot away from your computer monitor and turning it off when not in use, and opening the windows rather than using an air conditioner.
In many European offices and hospitals, negative air ionization is required and research has shown that negative ions can have a positive effect on allergies and asthma, cognitive function, and athletic performance. Ancient yoga texts suggested that students wishing to perfect breathing exercises do so near waterfalls or mountain caves. The masters may not have known about negative ions, but in our world of confined and crowded spaces, electronics, and filtered air, their advice remains true.
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