Embrace Blue Space
Catherine Lawson
Have you ever noticed how much calmer and happier you feel when you’re out and about near water? It might be a stroll along the beach, a picnic by the loch or a cycle along the river: there’s just something about the water…
Living along the Ayrshire coast we’re blessed with an abundance of blue. There are countless places to visit which showcase water in all its glorious forms from wild sweeping sea fronts to babbling brooks in the forest. Wherever we choose to go, there are moments of blissful mindfulness to be found as we switch off from the outside world and focus instead on the sights and sounds of the blue space around us. As the water works its magic, we start to breathe a bit deeper, we bring our shoulders down from our ears and we occasionally find ourselves smiling.
We’ve long understood that time in nature does us good. Until fairly recently, however, the focus was always on green spaces, with time spent strolling in the countryside or climbing hills being a universal prescription for wellbeing. And whilst those land-based benefits remain, there is increasing evidence that being near the water, in blue spaces, is equally if not more beneficial for our wellbeing.
There’s a calmness that comes with being close to the water (and indeed in it) which reduces our stress levels and promotes relaxation and sleep. It shifts us into a different rhythm, freeing the mind and giving us space to reflect. It’s no surprise that those of us who live in close proximity to the water are reportedly happier: time in and around blue spaces is nothing short of therapeutic (according to the Mental Health Foundation, 65% of people surveyed said that being near the water improved their mental wellbeing).
There are also the physical benefits associated with walking those long miles around shorelines or adventuring through the woods following the journey of a stream. And we only need to look at the surge in popularity of cold-water therapy to see how significantly time in the water can improve wellbeing, giving us, in effect, a system re-boot when we need it. For sailors, surfers and wild water swimmers alike being up close and personal to the power of nature is the ultimate freedom and wellbeing boost both physically and mentally.
The social benefits are also profound as we find ourselves interacting with others drawn to the same spaces, creating momentary communities in our love of the world around us. One look at the beach on that first hot day of the year will confirm just how eager we all are to flock to the places of beauty which unite us. Blue spaces are natural gathering spots which bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, whether to relax, to play or to connect with nature in its loveliest moments. And even in the not so lovely times, when the winds are blowing and the rains are lashing, you’ll find a community of die-hard blue-spacers walking dogs, pushing prams, setting off at a pace for an hour of steady zone 2 (low-intensity) exercise and so on. The power of water is undeniable; it’s what draws us rain or shine.
We may have evolved as a species, becoming more urbanised with every passing year, but our connection to nature is as vital for wellbeing now as it was when we first walked this earth, reliant on land and sea for survival. When we hear the slow lapping waves on the shore or the rush of a waterfall in the mountains, it speaks to some ancient part of us and reminds us once again of our deep connection to the world around us. When it comes to lifestyle medicine (the things we do to prevent ill health rather than wait until it hits us), embracing blue spaces might be one of the most impactful things we can do to counteract the stresses and strains of modern day living.
