Health is the new wealth
The positive effects of being in and around water can have a huge impact on your health and wellbeing. Here’s how to ride the wave of ‘blue therapy’
Ever had a deep and soothing sleep thanks to the relaxing sound of the sea, or experienced the ultimate buzz from an invigorating, wild skinny-dip? Yes? Then you’ll know just how powerful water can be. So it’s no wonder the ancient Greeks soaked in mineral-rich thermal springs to help them feel better, and seaside trips were often prescribed by doctors during Victorian times. And it seems they were on to something because now there’s a body of science-led evidence to prove that water can indeed heal.
JOIN THE BLUE GYM
The term ‘blue space’ is used to refer to our oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and waterfalls – but can include all kinds of water. The idea is that both coastal and natural water environments – which have been dubbed the ‘blue gym’ – can be used specifically to increase physical activity, reduce stress, and play an important role in helping to build stronger communities. The concept was introduced more than a decade ago in the UK as an initiative launched by the Department of Health and Peninsula MedicalSchool in Plymouth.
One study *has even found that living close to blue spaces, visiting them, or just enjoying a nice waterscape view, is associated with a reduced risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, and can provide health benefits by encouraging relaxation.
WATER FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
There’s a biological reason why respite and reflection become 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 Dr Catherine Kelly, author of Blue Spaces: How & Why Water Can Make You Feel Better (£14.99, Welbeck). In this bluemind state, it’s easier to practise mindfulness. ‘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.
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’.
