“Getting in the ocean means a time just for me. Whether that’s solo time and space for myself, time to process, time to play or time to be with friends. I just love it; like I do a person or an animal. It’s awesome.”
- Ali Hellmuth, Founder of Rewild
Every human being on Earth is affected by the oceans in some way, whether you live at their peaceful (or perhaps, not-so-peaceful) shores or hundreds of miles inland. The oceans supply us with freshwater and oxygen, and they impact climates all across the globe; without them, life on Earth would come to an end. These vast bodies of water cover over 70% of the surface of our planet (and perhaps it is no coincidence that our own bodies are made of around 60% water), provide a livelihood to over 3 billion people and are home to between 50 and 80% of all life. For many of us, the ocean is far more than just an enormous body of water that separates continents - it provides a different space for us to disconnect from our daily lives, to seek healing - physical, mental and spiritual - and to play.
“Getting in the ocean is a non-negotiable for me when I am near it. It brings me clarity, grounds me and clears my head. Since l stepped foot in Cornwall and started surfing, it's one thing I can't live without and even though I am based mostly in London now, I always crave and miss being able to regularly get into the ocean with friends.”
- Izzy, Social Media Manager at Rewild
There are many reasons why we get in the ocean, each of us has our own personal motivation or calling to do so. There is, however, one thing that most of us will agree upon - the fact that being near or getting in the big blue sea makes us feel better. Science is beginning to back up this commonly accepted belief. One systematic review, published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, found evidence to support a positive association between increased time spent in “blue spaces”, such as near the ocean, and improved mental health and wellbeing. It is now understood that the oceans (and other bodies of water) can have a number of positive impacts on human health, particularly mental health. The effects are so strong that the World Health Organization is backing studies into the subject in a project run by Exeter University, known as The BlueHealth Project.
I asked Rewild founder, Ali, about his own relationship with the ocean, and how getting in the water makes him feel:
“It makes me feel so many different things. When I'm feeling stressed or anxious, water and especially the ocean, grounds me and allows me to reset. I truly ground in water. It also makes me feel calm, excited, playful, silly, just a whole bunch of wonderful emotions. It often heightens any emotions I am struggling with at that time, which helps me see and process them.”
Ali is not alone. Studies have found that living at the coast could have a significant positive impact on mental health, particularly among low earning households. It is estimated that people living at the coast are over 20% less likely to suffer from mental health problems like depression than their land locked counterparts.
“Getting in the ocean revives me, resets me, brings me into the present moment and calms my central nervous system. It makes me happy and brings me peace. I love seeing all the activity below the surface, especially when it’s calm and tranquil with the sunlight hitting it. Seeing all the creatures whilst snorkelling and getting in the surf are my favourite wind-down activities.”
Mel, Rewild Retreat guest
So, if you’re stuck in the big city, and feeling the mental and physical effects of a busy month or year, perhaps it's time to consider a trip to the beach. Wherever you are located in the UK, you are always within 70 miles of the coast - and even a brief visit to your nearest coastal town could have a huge impact on the way you feel. In addition to the positive impacts on your mental health, here are some of the added benefits you could experience from a trip to the beach:
It helps you feel calm
Have you ever sat on a beach, gazing out at the endless blue horizon, listening to the sound of waves lapping against the shore, and felt a sense of deep calm throughout your body? There are a number of reasons for this, but the bottom line is that the ocean makes us feel calm. Water triggers our parasympathetic nervous system - something you might have learnt about in last month’s newsletter or can catch up on at the Rewild blog here - which puts our bodies into a state of rest and recovery. It is now generally understood that being near water helps us to enter a meditative state, making us feel calmer and happier, and even more creative.
It can improve your physical health
Using the effects of water for improved health is a long standing tradition - the Romans had their baths and in India people have flocked to the Ganges for centuries. However, it is only recently that the science behind the benefits of salt water and seaside visits have been understood. We now know that the ocean is full of minerals that are essential to human health - including magnesium, iodine, calcium and potassium. These are all great at helping our bodies detoxify and heal. The ocean also helps to open our pores, allowing those wonderful minerals to flood in, and toxins to flow out.
It improves circulation and immunity
Submerging in cold water has been shown to improve circulation and immunity - lucky for us, the waters of the British Isles stay cool year round, meaning even a summer dip will help get your blood flowing. The cool temperature forces blood to rush throughout your veins, as your body works to adapt to the temperature, improving circulation. The shock of the cold is also said to jump start your immune system.
It’s good for your lungs
Doctors have been prescribing visits to seaside towns to improve respiratory health since the 18th century. The sea air is known to clear airways and help cleanse and expel toxins in the lungs. We now know that this fresh sea air contains negatively charged ions which improve lung health and increase oxygen absorption. The overall impact of breathing in the salty, moist air of the coast is said to help clear airways, which is wonderful for anyone suffering with asthma or allergies.
So, if you are feeling stressed, anxious or burned out, why not consider paying a visit to the coast near you? It could help you feel relaxed, less stressed and generally healthier. Or, why not consider booking a Rewild retreat and add some extra layers of wellbeing to your coastal visit - check out upcoming options here.
Finally, I asked Ali what draws him to the ocean:
“I don’t know how to say this without it sounding cheesy and ridiculous, but my honest answer is that I miss the ocean when I’m away from it, just like I’d miss a good friend. I feel genuine love for it. The ocean draws me when I’m feeling most hard-to-feel emotions, and it always offers a new perspective. When I surf or swim it gives me space, and allows me to see how I’m feeling much clearer.”
That’s all from me – make sure to look out for the next month’s Rewild Newsletter, where we will continue to explore ways to live well.
Nikki and the Rewild Team
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