Health benefits of being by the sea

Here at booicore, we love being by the sea. We love to breathe in the salty air and the crashing waves make it seem like the sea itself is breathing. And although we moan that the sound of the cackle of seagulls drives us mad, nothing quite says “seaside” the way they do. 

We want everyone to be as passionate about the sea as we are so we are going to be looking at the health benefits that being by the sea can bring to us. Make sure you’ve got your changing robe to hand, as we take a closer look at the science behind “Blue Mind” and explore some of the reasons your next adventure should be seaside based.

 A “Blue Mind”

If you have ever been lucky enough to head to the beach, just close your eyes and think of the feeling you get when you stand at the edge of the water.

Dr Wallace J Nichols, a marine biologist, has a theory on why we love the ocean so much. He believes that water has the ability to reduce our cortisol levels, which control the stress hormones in our body. This slows down our breathing and heart rate, giving us the opportunity to clear our minds and reach a calmer more relaxed state i.e. a blue mind.

Exercise

Whether you realise it or not, when you are walking on the beach you are actually working out. Walking across sand provides more resistance than walking across flat surfaces and so you are getting more exercise that way. Your body is continuously working to counterbalance the irregularities of the sand surface and so you are working out your calves, glutes and thighs as you do so. 

The actual sea itself is also just as beneficial from a health point of view, as swimming or surfing in it can give you a full-body workout that not only improves your circulation but increases your immune system function as well. And it doesn’t stop there. Various scientific studies have also shown that the sea can aid our immunity due to the amino acids, minerals and vitamins that are found in the water.

Something for the whole family

If you want to get together with family and friends, then the beach is the best place to go (lockdown permitting) as you can spend a day in the sun. There are lots of different water sports to choose from to keep everyone entertained - from surfing, kayaking or scuba diving - or you can just relax and build sandcastles with the kids.

Walking is a great way to spend time with your family too and you will all benefit from a little exercise. There are lots of coastal paths to choose from in the UK and your views will change with each season.

If you love being by the sea too, why not share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #outdoorsmadeeasy