The Big Blue

Want to boost your body and mind? Here’s why you need to book a trip to the sea this summer

- Mary comber

Remember the excitement of seeing the sea for the first time as a child? For most of us, that thrill never goes away. From the exhilaration of playing in the surf to the soothing sound of the waves, there’s nothing like being beside the sea to lift your mood. But there are deeper, physiological reasons we feel drawn to the ocean. According to Dr. Deborah Cracknell, an honorary research fellow at Exeter University Medical School and author of By the Sea – the therapeutic benefits of being in, on and by the water (Aster, £14.99), there’s a host of ways your body and mind benefits. We caught up with the scientist to discover how you can reap the rewards whether at home or away.

Aqua therapy

Ever noticed how amazing you feel after a dip in the sea? It’s not just the energizing effect of being in the waves – sea water offers a host of physiological benefits. Throughout history, warm seawater has been used to treat a range of ailments. Cleopatra is said to have soaked in the mineral-rich Dead Sea for its healing powers, and today people still bathe there to treat skin conditions. ‘In the mid-1700s, a British physician confirmed minerals in seawater – such as magnesium – could help treat a variety of medical conditions,’ says Dr Cracknell. ‘Every cell in your body needs magnesium, and it’s particularly beneficial for healthy muscles and bones.’ It also helps regulate your sleep – hence the popularity of floatation therapy – and the mineral can also soothe your skin.

TIP: Can’t escape to the coast? Fill a bath with Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) and soak away stress.

FRESH-AIR FEELS