“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As I write this, I have just returned from a holiday to the Northumberland coast. Each time I go away it is invariably to a coastal region. I am drawn to the sea. In this I am certainly not alone, so I began to wonder what it is about coastal environments that attract us, and why they make us feel so good. Why do I love being by the sea?
Nostalgia plays a big part in our love of the seaside. Childhood experiences, exploring rock pools, leaping the waves and building sandcastles. The beach is a place where cares melt away, we feel refreshed and renewed. The pace of life becomes governed by the ebb and flow of the tide and not the clock. It is the ultimate form of mindfulness and sensory awareness, fully connected to the environment. Listening to the waves naturally soothes and relaxes both mind and body. The feel of sand between the toes, the waves splashing around your legs as you paddle. You are not a bystander observing nature, you are in it! Sharing the space with busy shoreline birds, the lucky sighting of bobbing seal heads or a dolphin fin slicing the water. The hunt for the perfect shell can absorb me completely. The sea offers up its treasure along the tideline for a few precious hours each day before the waves return to snatch it back to the deep once more.
After a little research I discover that science can also explain our love of the ocean. Taking deep breaths of salt-laden sea air allows for clearer breathing and better quality sleep. The air at the coast also contains an abundance of negative ions, which, contrary to their name, have a distinctly positive effect. These invisible molecules are believed to produce biochemical reactions in the body, increasing serotonin levels. This leads to a boost of energy and a feeling of well-being. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter and hormone, balancing mood, aiding healing, motor skills and many other essential functions. In general, a beach has little in the way of shade, maximising sunlight which also triggers the release of serotonin and vitamin D. Landscapes that are ranked the most scenic often include a high proportion of blue and green colours. A beach scene is predominately blue and studies have shown this colour promotes feelings of calmness and relaxation, clearer focus and increased creativity.
On a visit to the coast we tend to be engaged in some sort of activity. Walk for miles along sweeping sandy bays, surf, swim, sail; whatever the activity, it brings healthy rewards.
The lure of the sea may even be an innate evolutionary force. Something deep within our cells drawing us towards the ocean that gave us life many millennia ago. Whether it be nature, science, or cellular compulsion, I know I will always be drawn to the edges of our beautiful island. Time to start planning my next trip!