On the 7th of April, we celebrate World Health Day and, on the occasion of it, we would like to talk about the several benefits that sailing can give you.

Some years ago, Wallace J. Nichols published his book “Blue Mind” which is the result of more than 10 years of studies regarding the proximity of humans to the water. Indeed, water helps us to feel happier and healthier.
In addition, another scientific research that has been done for over 10 years, underlines how staying on a sailing boat enables one’s happiness. Results have been published by Environmental Psychology and they explain why the closeness to the sea can help find the lost well-being.

Which are the main water benefits that are happiness related?

  • The marine environment stimulates some brain zones that produce dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. They are three neuromodulators engaged in the regulation of psychological and emotional health.
  • Nature keeps our mind younger: the more we spend in the open air, the more we will stay focused.
  • Staying close to the sea or even just looking and a marine landscape can help stabilize our senses. Being emotionally stable can, in fact, bring us to remember happy and joyful memories from our past.
  • The blue color of the sea spreads peace of mind, stretching intellectual faculties and lowering blood pressure levels.
  • The water of the sea invigorates the mind and the sense of infinity is able to project us toward hope.
  • Sea breaths and water are rich in iodine, which is crucial for the thyroid and respiratory system. They take away some kinds of illnesses such as asthma, headache, and tiredness.
  • A bath in seawater alleviates rheumatism, arthrosis, and another joint disease. It also tones the skin and makes it glowing.

As Nichols states, “in a century where we are so attached to stress, technology, professional goals, personal anxiety, health issues and without a real privacy, untying the moorings is amazing”. The happiness pill seems to be nothing more than raising the anchors and unfurling the sails.