‘Being next to a large body of natural water inspires a sense of awe. Gazing at the horizon gives a sense of perspective on daily life’
A SPACE TO SWITCH OFF
Ocean advocate Lizzi Larbalestier says she feels deeply attached to the Cornish coastline, where she lives and works as a blue health coach – helping others discover the wellbeing benefits of the sea (goingcoastal. blue). ‘I see people arrive anxious and stressed by the daily pressures of city life and the digital world. Stepping into blue space enables them to slow down, breathe and awaken their senses, connecting with a wider, more analogue world that has light, shade, colour and form,’ she says.
The environment proves to be the perfect antidote to time-pressured, device-driven lifestyles. ‘Blue space is a sensory landscape, meaning we engage all of our senses when we are in it,’ says Catherine Kelly. ‘We hear the sounds of the water ebbing and flowing, we notice the colours of the sea or stream, we can feel the sandy beach beneath our toes, smell the sea air or the wildflowers along a canal bank, and we can taste the salt on our skin after a dip in the ocean.’
The outcome is positive. Busy minds will quieten without effort and it’s possible to have tangible and tactile experiences that are not mediated by technology. ‘Water is medicine and in our fast-paced world, the sense of peace and presence it provides is undervalued and underutilised,’ says Lizzi. ‘You soon realise that we are part of an ecosystem, far from being disconnected and isolated, and that we each have a contribution to make.’
BODY BENEFITS OF BLUE
Research reveals that spending time by water also encourages us to be more active, whether that’s surfing the waves or having a riverside stroll. ‘We then get all the physical benefits associated with exercise, such as improved cardiovascular health, combating osteoporosis and endorphin releases. Plus, the happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine, rise when moving on, in or near water,’ says Catherine. Tempted to take a dip? Studies show that swimming in natural water may help with anxiety and depression, digestive issues and menopause symptoms. ‘Cold-water swimming stimulates the vagus nerve in the body, and this can induce an anti-inflammatory response, which researchers are linking to improved health,’ says Catherine.
Visit outdoorswimmingsociety.com for tips on doing it safely.
WATER FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
There’s a biological reason why respite and reflection becomes possible in blue spaces. ‘Levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol in the body can drop, breathing regulates and the heart rate slows, so in essence we feel calmer and our mood improves,’ says Catherine. In this blue mind state, it’s easier to practise mindfulness – water’s meditative quality brings us into the present moment and allows us to press pause on our worries. ‘Being next to a large body of natural water inspires a sense of awe. Gazing at the horizon gives a sense of perspective on daily life and there’s a feeling of being part of something bigger,’ says Catherine.
NOT NEAR THE SEA? GET A CITY FIX
Urbanites can still seek refuge in blue space. ‘In towns and cities, you can walk by a river or canal on the way to work, or find an outdoor fountain to sit by as you eat lunch,’ suggests Catherine. ‘If you deliberately notice the sight and sounds of moving water, you’ll learn to tune out other stimuli. Focus on relaxing your breathing and enjoy a moment of peace.’ Many cities also have great outdoor lidos, which offer the ‘fresh-air experience’ while boosting social and physical wellbeing.