Oh, I do like to be the seaside… We all love to escape to the beach – buckets and spades in hand, boards under our arms, or a picnic packed up to devour with sand between our toes. But have you ever wondered why we’re so drawn to the shoreline? Not only is the coast a stunning playground that we associate with relaxation and time off, but increasing scientific evidence proves that being by the sea has tangible health benefits for the body and mind.
What is Blue Health?
The dictionary definition of blue health is “the idea that being near or on water is good for physical and mental health.”
This is obvious for people who like being in or near the sea. Ask the surfers, coastal artists, wild swimmers and beachcombers, and they’ll tell you what a vital ingredient the ocean is in their lives. But there is growing scientific evidence to show that the benefits of the big blue extend to anyone who spends time by the sea.
“Research is increasingly highlighting the ocean as a therapeutic environment, capturing the human imagination and interrupting the momentum of daily life with its dynamic rhythms, sounds, scents and scenes,” explains Dr Sarah Bell, from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health.
What is Blue Mind?
The concept of blue mind takes the science a little further into the profound benefits the sea, as well as lakes, rivers and natural pools, has on happiness and mental health. The phrase was coined by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols who does a deep dive into the neurobiology, cognitive psychology, economics and medicine in his fantastic book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.
So what exactly are the potential benefits of a trip to the seaside?
Whether you hit the coastal paths, flop on your beach towel or plunge into the ocean, being in and beside the sea has a huge influence over our physical and emotional states; boosting our health and wellbeing and leaving us feeling high on life. From enhancing our sleep to lowering stress levels, here are just some of the reasons that proximity to the ocean boosts our health and wellbeing:
Being beside (and in) the sea releases happy hormones
Just breathing in the sea air helps lift your mood, as negatively charged ions help to absorb oxygen and balance serotonin levels in the brain. If you go one sandy step further and dip in the ocean, this stimulates the vagus nerve, calms our fight-or-flight response and releases dopamine (our happy hormone) in bucket loads. So it’s little wonder that playing in the waves leaves us feeling less stressed, more alert and better equipped to deal with the demands of everyday life.
Watching waves reduces stress levels
You don’t even have to jump in the surf to experience the calming effect of the waves. Simply watching the ocean brings us back into the moment, distracting us from internal and negative thought patterns as our focus is drawn to the movement and light. This mindfulness decreases stress and snaps us into a different, more positive mindset.
As surfer and Blue Health ambassador Easkey Britton neatly sums up in her book Saltwater in the Blood: “What these places [the ocean environments] all have in common is that they allow me to leave my responsibilities behind and break the negative thought patterns, or ruts, that my mind has fallen into at work [or in everyday life]. They reconnect me with my own sense of aliveness.”
Beach life boosts your fitness
You only have to look at the increasing number of surf schools and water sports centres to see that being by the sea is associated with being active. Whether you head off on a coasteering safari, learn to ride the waves, explore the coastline by paddleboard or swim in a sea pool, the ocean inspires motion and exploration. And you don’t need to embark on a full-throttle adventure to raise your heart rate and get moving – it can be as simple as padding barefoot along the shoreline, or striking out on the coast path to find a picnic spot.
Sea air makes you sleep better
Why is it we fall into such a deep sleep after a day at the beach? Well, it’s not just because we’re worn out from a day of fun in the outdoors. Sea air is generally cleaner, with higher levels of oxygen, which can help to improve sleep. It also contains negative ions – oxygen atoms with an extra electron – which boost your body’s ability to absorb oxygen and help balance serotonin levels, subsequently aiding deep and restful sleep.
Sea swimming boosts the immune system
We’ve all witnessed the surge in wild swimming, with soaring numbers of people sea dipping on beaches all over the UK. Aside from the feel good factor of head-to-toe immersion in nature’s watery playground, cold water dipping boosts the immune system, can alleviate anxiety and could even delay the onset of degenerative diseases such as dementia.
How? Sea swimming activates the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and relaxing the body. A study by the University of Cambridge found that people who regularly cold water dip have higher levels of a so-called ‘cold-shock’ protein in their blood, which helps form synapses and can slow the onset of dementia.
Seawater is good for your skin
Why do we return from the beach with such a healthy glow to our cheeks? Saltwater is
rich in nourishing minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium – many of which have powerful anti-inflammatory, skin-healing effects. So not only are we glowing from hours of fun on the beach, time in the sea can also soothe sensitive and dry skin, improve the symptoms of eczema and reduce allergic skin reactions.
Being by the sea promotes better mental health
A study has shown that people living within 1km of the sea show optimal mental health and that visits to blue spaces including the beach can reduce the need for antidepressants. So, if you’re feeling a bit blue, a trip to the seaside is just what you need for a natural pick-me-up. The colour blue is also linked with serenity and calm. Which is why simply staring out to hues of the ocean and the wide-open skies make us feel calm and creative.
Beach life is good for social bonding
Away from screens and stimulated by the natural environment, the beach is a fantastic place to reconnect with ourselves and others. Whether you hit the waves, light the barbecue or hunt for crabs and starfish in the rockpools, the shoreline provides an engaging and exciting environment where you can ditch the technology-led lifestyle and bond with family and friends.
Being by the sea makes us more likely to look after our planet
A huge problem of our modern world is that our existence has become more and more disconnected from nature. However, being by the sea and realising the ocean’s influence on us, as well as our influence over the ocean, encourages us to protect and improve the environment we love. Simple actions such as beach cleans, realising the importance of leaving just footprints, and the desire to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, can all be aroused by reconnecting with nature on a holiday beside the sea.
Book a Holiday by the Sea and Boost Your Wellbeing
Now that you know the wellbeing benefits of a holiday by the sea, why not book a ‘blue health’ break at a beautiful coastal location? The UK has hundreds of miles of coastline to experience and enjoy, from the deserted white-sand shores of Scotland to the lively sun-baked beaches of Cornwall. Start your search for a sea view property and escape for a seaside break to revitalise your body and mind.
