The mental health benefits of being by the sea¹

Meditative state

Many of us intuitively feel more relaxed and at peace by the sea, but why exactly is that?  “Simply staring out to sea can change our brain wave frequency, luring us into a mild meditative state. The colour blue is associated with feelings of calm and peace and listening to the ebb and flow of waves and the swell of the sea naturally soothes and relaxes the brain. The fresh salty sea air is full of negative ions, believed to help alleviate depression and the increased levels of Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, which soaks into our skin makes us feel good,” says Joe S.  

Big picture thinking 

Being by the sea also forces us to change our pace of living which can alter how we think and process information. “We can slow down, stepping away from the frenetic digital world and allowing us to simply take time to be fully present in the moment. Our breathing shifts as we watch waves and wildlife and our attention is drawn from within ourselves to the outside world giving our minds the space to reset and, importantly, offering our nervous system the chance to rebalance as we connect with nature,” says Lizzi. “Time in blue spaces enables us to unconsciously, and consciously, recognise the interconnection between all aspects of life within our ecosystem promoting empathy and dissolving any sense of isolation."

Gratitude

It is easy to slip into a negative mindset, especially given the constant challenges we’re all facing at the moment. But staring out to sea, most of us can’t help but feel even a momentary glimpse of gratitude, which is a powerful step towards wellbeing. “With so much going on in the world right now; a trip to our beautiful coastline is a great way to reflect and remember all the positives and beauty we have around us. We must all take time – indeed find this time wherever possible - as without it, we can become immersed in the negative; this is absolutely something to avoid. Remember too; we can always find a reactionary gap – we can all make a space to consider the information that presents itself to us and respond accordingly through choice. We can, through dedication and practise, actively remember that wellbeing is blue, wet and around the corner,” says Joe S. 

Immediate mindfulness

If you’ve even taken a dip in the sea, or even had a paddle, you’ll recognise that feeling of complete immersion in the activity. “By getting into the sea you're no longer observing nature, you're in it and fully conscious of the feel, the sound, the power, and taste of the ocean,” says Joe T. It’s a form of mindfulness, which has a powerful way of putting things into perspective. “In the sea there isn't a lot of headspace left to also worry about land-life-problems because the ocean demands your full presence the moment you step into it,” he adds. 

Improved sleep 

It's not an uncommon phenomenon to sleep well after a cobweb shifting walk by the sea, but now there is actual research to back it up. A study found that people sleep on average for 47 minutes longer after a good walk along the coast. And the sea in particular is thought to play a crucial role, as those who went on a similar length inland walk bagged only 12 minutes of extra precious snooze time. And we all know the power of a good night’s sleep. 

Connect with your emotions

“Being in the sea is ‘being at one’ with the sea; the space, the sensory awareness, the refreshing sensation, the motion, the smell and the challenge. Be it swimming, surfing, sailing or SUPing, your time in the water gives you the time and opportunity to explore often self-imposed limitations, allowing you to be present in that moment,” says Joe S. And that allows people to connect with their emotions in a powerful way. That’s a particularly useful side effect for people who aren’t into traditional methods of connection with their own emotions, such as journaling or discussing their mental health with a friend. “Here at Sea Sanctuary, we believe the sea works for us in a way that is beyond language; for those who struggle to articulate their emotions, the sea is something that makes people feel and connect with their emotions. There is something about the silence, the serenity and peace that can only be found in or near the sea,” he adds.