HOW BLUE SPACES BOOST YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

Being around blue spaces for me means spending time at the beaches in Cornwall, and this brings a wealth of physical blue health benefits.

When I'm walking along the beach, I'm naturally exfoliating the soles of my feet, whilst at the same time, I'm grounding (also known as earthing). Grounding helps restore the body's natural electrical balance, and synchronise the body's internal biological clock. Grounding has also been associated with reduced pain and discomfort in various conditions, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to promote stress reduction and relaxation.

According to research, 89% of people surveyed said swimming pools and other blue spaces had highly positive impacts on their life, with 55% saying it improves their mood. 39% saying it calms their anxiety, 27% saying it improves their sleep, and more than 1 in 10 saying that it even helped to fix relationship issues and personal life problems.

Being near blue spaces for me brings sea healing, water wellness, and a greater opportunity for exercise and development of practical life skills such as swimming. Evidence shows that people who live near a major blue space are often physically healthier and have better mental health than those living further away.

We then come to sea swimming and ocean therapy, and seawater is rich in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride and sulphate that work as natural cosmetics for our skin. Those with skin concerns such as psoriasis and eczema may see particular benefit. The magnesium in seawater also lowers cortisol levels in the body.

As sea water is salty, this is also beneficial for those with sinus issues by providing relief by opening up the area with an all-natural saline solution. This helps the cilia to move mucas, clearing the sinuses. I'm sure you've noticed how much better you breathe when away on holiday and spending time by the beach.

Sea swimming will also help with weight management, and is a great low impact exercise. A blast of the cold water has been shown to reduce muscle pain and increase blood flow and circulation, and all of the above are just a few of the many benefits of utilising the ocean for improved health.

So... do you really have any excuse as to why you can't head to the beach or your nearest body of water? Yes I live in Cornwall, but prior to this I was mainly city based, and this didn't stop me from seeking out blue spaces.

Start thinking about regular blue space self-care time, you won't regret it, and your body and mind will forever thank you!

With gratitude,

Natalia x