5 Things you don’t know About the Origin of Honeymoon

We all know that the best place to go on a honeymoon is the beach. Speaking of which, when we hear the word honeymoon, we automatically associate it with the period of bliss and harmony during the first months of a newlywed couple. But do you know that the origin of this perfect “happy ever after” is far from its original meaning? There are a lot of things we don’t know about the word honeymoon, so let’s start counting.

Honeymoon = Hjunottsmanathr
Equals what? Hjunottsmanathr is the Norse word that is considered to be the origin of the word honeymoon. It means “in hiding.” Once upon a time, the norm to get a bride is to simply abduct her and take her into hiding. The groom and his men would throw a blanket over the bride and carry her off on horseback, which is literally “sweeping her off her feet.” It sounds barbaric and romantic at the same time, but it’s true. This culture of kidnapping of brides goes as far back as Attila the Hun, AD 433-453.
“Honey” is the aphrodisiac
While in hiding, whether the bride likes it or not, the couple would share a daily cup of mead – a cocktail made of fermented honey and water for about a month. Mead is considered to be a love potion and an aphrodisiac. The people back then believed that if the couple drink mead during the honeymoon, they would be assured of the birth of a child.
“Moon” means the waiting period
The “moon” in honeymoon is associated with different things. First, it was linked to how much time the relatives of the bride spent in finding her. The end of their search is marked in their calendar which is based on the phases of the moon, thus the word “moon.” Another explanation is that the moon is related to the body cycle of the woman, which is related to fertility. A month in hiding is definitely a lot of time for the bride to conceive.
“Bridal tours” for the well-off
As centuries passed, England’s upper class would take a “bridal tour” after their wedding. Back then, arranged marriages were the custom, especially for the wealthy. The tour was seen as a time to get to know each other more and produce an heir in the process. They would usually travel to the countryside or visit relatives who weren’t able to attend the wedding.
Honeymoon for tourism
It was just in the recent century that the term honeymoon began to be defined as the after-wedding vacation. In the Philippines, they used the term in advertisements, particularly targeting newlyweds. The ads were meant to boost tourism in places like Boracay. This is one of the reasons why it remains to be one of the most popular honeymoon locations in the world.

Sand, Air, Sun, and the Medical Benefits of the Beach

Photo Credit: ministrybestpractices.com

Why is it that we associate the sea with feelings of relaxation and serenity?

We’ve been told often enough that the sea breeze is good for health and well-being, but what backs this age old story? Does this have psychological or scientific evidence behind it? Let’s find out. These are the proven health benefits of going to the beach.

Sea waves relax our mind and body
According to research, the sound of the waves changes the wave patterns in our brain lulling us into a deeply tranquil state. When were relaxed, our mind and body rejuvenates. Also, when we’re floating on water, blood in our lower limbs is pumped up towards our abdominal and chest region where the heart is. This brings more oxygen to our brain, making us more active and alert in the process.
Fresh sea air causes good doze
The sea air is packed with healthy negative ions that boost our ability to absorb oxygen. These negative ions balance the serotonin level, a body chemical that affects mood and stress in our body, making us more relaxed, yet alert and energized. That’s why we always sleep more soundly after spending the day on the beach.
Salt air combats depression and mood disorder
The negative ions in salt air also lift the emotional state of those who are depressed and suffering from mood disorders. A lot of studies have been done showing that for some people, Negative Ion Therapy, or simply going to the beach, can be the best treatment for these mental health problems.
Sea air boosts immune system
According to a study done in University of California, the sea air has a lot of free electrons that neutralizes free radicals in our body. The negative ions in it can kill bacteria thus improving the health and immune system of people inhaling it.
Lying on the beach relieves stress
The heat of the sun on our skin affects our endocrine system. This secretes endorphins in our body that makes us feel relaxed and less stressed.
Basking in the sun cures certain skin diseases
Controlled amounts of sun rays can be good for those who have psoriasis. The ultra violet radiation of the sun rays help make the skin dry and flaky faster, allowing for new skin to replace the dead ones.
Soaking in the sea heals skin dermatitis
According to Skin Research and Technology Journal, sea water is good for skin dermatitis. To test this, they compared the results of skin bathed in a sodium lauryl sulphate, a salt compound treatment for rashes, and skin bathed in sea water. The result is that the sea water’s healing effect was far better and faster than the sodium lauryl sulphate. The researchers also found out that seawater increases the elasticity of the skin making it smoother and clearer.