There’s something magical about these golden days. The ancient Celts understood this deeply—gathering together to share the abundance of the harvest, celebrating the fruits of their labor, and honoring the rhythms of nature.
After nine long months, I finally made it out to the Seashore and oh what a delightful time! Searching for seashells, walking the beautiful sands of the Sea Islands, and delightfully chasing a couple of crabs reminded me of childhood travels with my family.
This seasonal shift has always inspired me, particularly through the music of the Celts, whose work beautifully captures that ocean spirit. For this month’s release I offer my rendition of “Come by the Hills”, a Scottish Traditional in 432 Hz Freq. and I hope it brings you warmth and reflection in the Autumn Season. Speaking of natural rhythms and their effects on us, let’s explore how certain frequencies in music and nature can help us find calm in our increasingly hectic world.
The 432 Hz Phenomenon: More Than Just a Number
During the Baroque Era, 432 Hz was the standard tuning before 440 came into existence. There’s actual science suggesting that 432 Hz, sometimes called “Verdi tuning” after its historical use in classical music, might have some unique calming properties.
What the Research Actually Shows
A fascinating double-blind study by Calamassi looked at emergency nurses—arguably some of the most stressed professionals on the planet, especially during COVID-19. They split nurses into two groups during their work breaks: one listened to music tuned to 432 Hz, the other to standard 440 Hz tuning.
The results? After just 10 minutes, the 432 Hz group showed significant improvements in respiratory rate (p<0.001) and blood pressure (p=0.032). The 440 Hz group? No significant changes in vital signs. Both frequencies helped with anxiety, but 432 Hz seemed to have a measurably stronger effect on the body’s stress response.
Other studies have found similar patterns—432 Hz music appears to reduce heart rate, respiratory rate, and cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone) more effectively than 440 Hz, particularly in high-stress situations like dental procedures.
The caveat? We need more research. The current evidence is promising but limited, so consider this an emerging area of study rather than settled science.
Nature’s Frequency: The Beach Effect
Speaking of stress relief, let’s talk about another powerful (and free) tool: walking barefoot on the beach.
There’s something almost universally calming about the ocean shore, and it turns out there’s solid science behind why that walk in the sand feels so restorative.
The Multisensory Reset
The beach hits multiple systems at once. The sound of waves, the fresh salt air, the feeling of sand and water under your feet—this multisensory experience activates your parasympathetic nervous system (your body’s “rest and digest” mode), actively reducing stress. A 2019 study in Scientific Reports found that just 20 minutes in natural environments like beaches significantly lowered cortisol levels.
Grounding: Not Just Hippie Talk
Here’s where it gets interesting for the science-minded folks: “grounding” or “earthing”—direct physical contact with the Earth’s surface—appears to have measurable physiological effects.
A study by Chevalier et al. (2015) found that grounding reduced blood viscosity, potentially improving cardiovascular health. And here’s the kicker: wet sand and seawater are highly conductive, meaning they facilitate electron transfer from the Earth to your body more effectively than dry surfaces. The ocean’s saline environment, with its electrolytic properties, may actually amplify this effect.
The Blue Space Bonus
Researchers have identified what they call the “blue space effect”—the psychological benefits of being near water. A 2020 study in Health & Place linked coastal exposure to better mental health outcomes, showing that proximity to water promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and improves mood.
Additional Beach Benefits
Microbial diversity: Walking barefoot exposes you to diverse microorganisms in sand and water, which may support immune resilience. The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that controlled exposure to natural microbes can reduce allergic and autoimmune responses (New England Journal of Medicine, 2015).
Vitamin D synthesis: Beach time usually means sun exposure, which promotes vitamin D production—essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation (The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2017).
The Bigger Picture
Whether you’re tuning your instruments to 432 Hz or walking barefoot on the shore, you’re tapping into frequencies and rhythms that seem to resonate with our biology. While we need more research to fully understand these effects, the evidence so far suggests that both musical frequency and natural environments offer real, measurable ways to reduce stress and support wellbeing.
So next time you need to decompress, consider this: put on some 432 Hz music, or better yet, take it with you to the beach.
Last month’s article and song: “Scarborough Fair” received thoughtful appreciation and is linked here for your 432 Hz enjoyment🌅Relaxing Vocals – Scarborough Fair in 432 Hz.
Both songs are available for Vocal Coaching!