A new wave

Spending time in natural 'blue spaces' - our coasts, rivers and lakes - benefits our physical and mental health. Discover the wellbeing effects of water, plus the best UK swim spots to dive into this summer

- ALI HORSFALL AND NATALIA LUBOMIRSKI

If you've ever fallen asleep to the sound of the sea or been brave enough to take a wild skinny-dip, you'll have experienced the positive effects of being in and around water. The ancient Greeks took beneficial soaks in mineral-rich thermal springs, and trips to the seaside were often prescribed by doctors during Victorian times. And it seems they were on to something, because now there's a body of science-led evidence to prove that water can indeed heal. Keen to learn more? Here's how to ride the wave of 'blue therapy'.

EMBRACE THE BLUE

“The term “blue space” is often used to refer to our oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and waterfalls – but can actually include all kinds of water. Research is increasingly showing how these watery spaces can help us physically and psychologically,’ says Dr Catherine Kelly, academic and author of Blue Spaces: How & Why Water Can Make You Feel Better (£14.99, Welbeck).

In the UK, the idea of spending time in blue space was introduced over a decade ago as an initiative by the Department of Health and Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, and it’s since been championed by wellness experts and water-lovers as beneficial. The idea is that coastal and natural-water environments (dubbed the ‘blue gym’) can be used specifically to increase physical activity, reduce stress and build stronger communities.