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Human nature -

Scientists have known for some time now that human health, both mental and physical, is intrinsically linked with nature.

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Majority-urban species -

As a species, we evolved in grasslands and forests; since becoming a majority-urban species, there has been an increase in the rate of mental health disorders.

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Change for the better -

Even just looking at natural scenery has been shown to trigger a number of positive changes in our bodies, both psychological and physiological.

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Immune system -

Coming into contact with different microbes in outdoor environments reinforces the good microbial communities in our bodies and improves our immune systems.

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Outdoor therapy -

For this reason, people struggling with their mental health are often advised to head outdoors and interact with nature.

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Blue spaces -

And a growing body of research suggests there is one particular environment that bests the others when it comes to health benefits: blue spaces.

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Introducing "blue therapy" -

In fact, spending time in a blue space, such as by a lake or river, is becoming so popular that the practice has become known as "blue therapy."

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The concept - Blue health as a concept first emerged around a decade ago when researchers at the University of Sussex asked 20,000 study participants to record their feelings at random times.

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The study - The researchers collected over one million responses, and results showed that participants were by far the happiest when in blue spaces.

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Further research -

More recently, researchers at the Glasgow Caledonian University found that spending time in blue spaces lowers the risk of stress, anxiety, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.

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How it works -

Spending time in blue spaces can benefit us in a number of ways. Firstly, it provides a distraction from the stresses and struggles of day-to-day life.

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Distraction -

For lots of people, the sensations of a blue space, such as the crunching of sand between our toes, are enough to relax our bodies and tell our minds to switch off.

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Natural predisposition -

It also may be the case that we have a natural predisposition towards water, as a natural environment that benefited us as an evolving species.

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Natural predisposition -

According to health psychology researcher Kate Campbell, natural spaces that historically provided our species with food and safety may continue to offer a sense of comfort, even in today’s world.

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The sound of water -

Certain water sounds, such as the rush of river currents or the crashing of waves, have been shown to reduce stress, aid sleep, and improve memory.

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"Pink noise" -

These sounds fall into the category of "pink noise." Just like white noise, pink noise has all of the sound frequencies audible to the human ear, but a lower volume at the higher frequencies.

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Immersion therapy -

According to some experts, actually entering the water provides a further level of healing.

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Swimming and surfing -

Some argue that immersive activities, such as swimming or surfing, give us a sense of environmental attunement, i.e. feeling connected to or actually part of our environment.

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Real-life example -

This is what the non-profit trust Mountains to Sea Wellington aims to offer young Māori people at the Taputeranga Marine Reserve in New Zealand.

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Snorkeling experience - In this program, the children, many of whom have never seen the ocean before, are immersed in the Island Bay Snorkel Trail and given the opportunity to engage with their marine environment.

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Connected with the environment -

According to Nicole Miller, chair of Friends of the Taputeranga Marine Reserve Charitable Trust, getting in the ocean in this way gives children feelings of accomplishment, as well as a sense of connection with their environment.

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Urban environments -

In an attempt to make blue therapy available to a larger number of people, experts are turning their attention to the development of blue spaces in urban environments.

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The reality -

While it is true that 42% of the world’s population lives within 100 km (62 miles) of the sea, obstacles such as accessibility or pollution prevent many people from actually enjoying these spaces.

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Blue urban research - In 2016, a European research initiative was founded with the aim of collecting evidence of the health benefits of blue infrastructure within urban spaces.

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Small changes - It was found that even small changes, such as building a path to the river or a seating area alongside it, led to significant improvements in community mood.

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Results -

Local residents reported more positive emotions and higher levels of life satisfaction after these small-scale changes were made.

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Caveat -

Of course, whether or not an urban blue space is beneficial will largely depend on its quality. A highly polluted canal or river full of shopping carts probably won’t do the trick.

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All in all -

The research into blue spaces and their benefits for our health continues to emerge. So, why not make blue therapy part of your self-care routine?

Sources: (BBC) (Lifestyle Asia) (Healing Waves)

See also: The history of mental health treatments

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