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The beauty of ocean therapy

19th December 2019
Posted by Aston Avery

With a new decade on the horizon comes new opportunity but, also, more stress and anxiety for a lot of Brits. Over 4 in 10 (44%) say they stress over financial matters when thinking about early 2020 whilst another 4 in 10 (40%) mention the idea of getting older as a cause of stress. 39% also state that personal wellbeing and keeping fit are another big reason they get worked up thinking about the new year ahead.

New research by The Moorings, which delves into Brits’ stressed minds highlights various forms of relaxation, with Ocean Therapy – the link between calmness and the sea – at the forefront. Originating in surf therapy but also being a valid term for many other ocean health & fitness activities including sailing, it relates to the psychological benefit of spending time learning new skills in blue space, achieving something called “flow state”.

When we’re able to achieve this, our internal chatter quiets and we can be fully present and immersed in the current moment. Only 10% of those aged 55+ have ever heard the term while 4 out of 10 Brits believe it’s simply ‘listening to ocean wave recordings to become relaxed’.

Brits are still too scared to admit they suffer from stress for fear of being judged, the study has found. Despite countless campaigns to encourage increased tolerance and awareness of mental health issues, almost half the country’s adults say they keep stress problems a secret for fear that it will adversely affect their career prospects or the way people feel about them. Brits as a nation take 3 days a year off work with stress, with double that figure in London.

Aston spoke to Lizzi Barbalestier, Blue Mind expertto discuss the love of the ocean and the benefits to calming the mind and rejuvenating the body through achieving “flow state” of mind.