Blue Space: Nature's Therapist
- Andrew J Calvert
- Jul 28
- 1 min read
I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky... (Sea Fever)
There is something therapeutic about being near water. Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols calls this Blue Mind and defines it as a calm, mildly meditative state that many people experience when they are in, on or beside the sea (or rivers and lakes too).
Have you felt it? because now it appears that the science is beginning to catch up with that intuition.
Studies suggest that spending time in "blue spaces" can reduce stress, improve mood and support psychological wellbeing. Some programmes using sailing, surfing and diving are increasingly being offered alongside conventional treatment to help people recovering from stress, trauma, anxiety and even addiction. The sea isn't the therapy, but it can become a powerful partner in the healing process.
Perhaps that's because the ocean inspires awe*, and asks us to slow down. Waves, tides and open horizons hold our attention... and for a mind caught in rumination or hypervigilance, that shift can create enough space to breathe, reflect and reconnect.
Even a quiet walk along the shoreline or sitting by the water for twenty minutes may be enough to remind your nervous system what calm feels like.
Further Reading...
*AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and how it Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner
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