Beat the Blues in Cornwall: the UK’s Top Blue Health Destination

Science has proved that a trip to the beach does wonders for your wellbeing; which makes Cornwall the perfect place to reap the benefits of Blue Health. 

Blue Health has sprung onto our radar of late. What is it? The simplicity of boosting our wellbeing by immersing ourselves in blue spaces, such as the seaside. While we’ve always known that a trip to the beach makes us feel great, it’s only recently that scientific evidence has proved its powers to lower stress levels, release feel-good hormones and improve our health. 

Let’s rewind. In fact, Blue Health isn’t a new fad at all. The health benefits of the ocean have long been recognised. Cold water immersion was historically used to cure depression. And Victorians flocked to the coast because they believed that sea dipping and briny air invigorated their health and treated ailments.

Backed by science

It’s only now, with scientific back-up, we’ve coined the term Blue Health. And while sea dipping, or ‘wild swimming’, has hit new levels nationwide, the mere sight and sound of the ocean can induce a flood of neurochemicals that promote wellness, increase blood flow and induce relaxation. 

Whether you wander along the shoreline, dip a toe in the water or take the plunge in the Big Blue, Cornwall bags the title of one of the UK’s greatest Blue Health destinations. Hemmed by coastline, with hundreds of miles of coast paths and over 400 beaches, there’s a blue health fix around every corner.

If time by the sea is good for you, there are buckets full of reasons why a trip to the South West will boost your health, cure the blues and leave you feeling reconnected. Which means there’s no better time to make a beeline for Cornwall and reap the benefits. Let’s dive in… 

Life’s a beach

Come rain or shine, days on the beach leave us feeling elated and ready for a good night’s sleep. But what is it about the toes-in-the-sand lifestyle that makes us rest well and feel more regenerated as a result? Well, it’s not just because we’re worn out from a day of fun in the outdoors. Sea air is generally cleaner, with higher levels of oxygen and negative ions (oxygen atoms with an extra electron). This boosts your body’s ability to absorb oxygen and balances serotonin levels, subsequently aiding deep and restful sleep. From secluded coves to surf-lashed swathes of golden sand, there are over 400 beaches to choose from in Cornwall, so take your pick.

 <link to beaches in Cornwall> 

Just coasting along

Simply taking a coastal walk and filling your lungs with sea air helps lift your mood, as the negatively charged ions boost oxygen absorption and aid the release of serotonin (a mood-balancing neurochemical associated with feeling happy). With 300 miles of South West Coast Path trimming the border between land and sea, there’s no shortage of wellbeing walks for all levels. Whether you mosey along Mounts Bay to witness a sea-bound fortress, stand on Stepper Point and look out to the Doom Bar, or scour the horizon for mackerel shoals from Newquay’s historic Huer’s Hut, it’s not just the eye-popping views that leave you feeling in a better mood. 

Ride the waves

Surfing is one of the UK’s fastest-growing water sports. It’s fun, it’s addictive and it works every muscle in your body, which does wonders for your fitness. However, what surfers are really chasing is the ‘stoke’, or the buzz of riding waves. When we’re messing around in the ocean, it stimulates our vagus nerve, calms our fight-or-flight response and releases whopping doses of dopamine (our happy hormone). So whether you try surfing, belly boarding or just frolic in the whitewater, it’ll make you feel less stressed, more alert and better equipped to deal with the demands of everyday life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner or want to hone your wave-riding skills; there are plenty of surfing outfits ready with all the kit, caboodle and know-how. Plus Cornwall has the UK’s best surfing beaches for all abilities. So don a wetsuit and find your ‘stoke’. 

Get wet, go wild

There’s good reason why sea dipping, or ‘wild swimming’ has gripped the nation and encouraged masses of participants to strip off and brave the cold water of the ocean, lakes, tidal pools and lidos. Plunging into cold water activates the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and relaxing the body. A study by the University of Cambridge found that people who regularly cold water dip have higher levels of a so-called ‘cold-shock’ protein in their blood, which helps form synapses and can slow the onset of dementia. 

Sound good? Then it’s time to grab your cossie and seek out the dreamy tidal pools at the likes of Trevone, Treyarnon, Porthtowan, Bude and Portreath, or take a dip on a sublime sandy beach such as Daymer Bay, Porthpean or Gyllynvase. If you haven’t been before, there are plenty of wild swimming groups to sign up to, or if you fancy a longer swim tap up the experts at Sea Swim Cornwall.

Slow down, sit down and stare out to sea

You don’t actually have to do anything to feel the medicinal effects of Vitamin Sea. Find a sit spot on the rocks, beach or cliffs, and simply watch and listen to the ocean. This focus on movement and connection with nature brings us back into the moment, reducing stress levels by distracting us from internal and negative thought patterns. The more you’re able to disconnect from the mind’s everyday clutter, and allow the sounds and sights of the coast to amplify, the more you’re induced into a meditative and mindful state, that consequently snaps us into a different, more positive mindset. The colour blue is also linked with serenity, so when you’re surrounded by water, you’re naturally lapping up the calming hues of the ocean and the wide-open skies.

Feel the glow

Being beside the sea brings a healthy glow to our souls and to our cheeks. Saltwater is rich in nourishing minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium – many of which have powerful anti-inflammatory, skin-healing effects. So not only are we glowing from hours of fun on the beach, time in the sea can also soothe sensitive and dry skin, improve the symptoms of eczema and reduce allergic skin reactions. Making any beach time a natural beauty routine that will leave you glowing inside, and out. 

Cornwall: the natural blue health destination

So who knew a trip to the seaside was filled with so many healthy wonders? Lucky enough to live in Cornwall, we’ve experienced first-hand how being in and beside the ocean has the power to boost wellbeing, balance our emotions, heal and inspire us. It also fosters a more intimate connection between our everyday lives and the environment, encouraging us to protect and improve the coastal environment through simple steps such as beach cleans, leaving only footprints and the desire to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

So whether you hit the waves or stay on the shoreline, you can’t beat a break in Cornwall to beat the blues, boost your health and bring some Blue Health into your everyday life.

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