The call of the sea

Imagine yourself, on a sunny day, sitting comfortably on a chair, a bench or a rock, with a gentle sea breeze blowing toward you. You are looking out to the horizon where the blue sea meets the blue sky, listening to the waves lapping on the sand or the rugged shore below you. You may start to feel relaxed and happy, just remembering and visualizing an experience you had of being by the sea.

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, an American scientist and marine biologist coined the expression “blue mind” to describe that feeling of calm and general happiness triggered by the “dreamy state of involuntary attention” that is experienced beside the water.

Many years ago, when we lived in Ireland, we were never more than a short drive away from the sea. We went there often, sometimes just for an evening stroll on the beach. Where we are now, we have access to lovely lakes and rivers, and we are grateful for them. But there is something magical and enticing about the open sea.

If access to a green space has proven to be beneficial to the well-being of all age groups, especially in urban settings, what about access to a blue space such as the sea, a river, or a lake? Population surveys have already revealed that coastal living is correlated with better mental and physical health. If so, how often and how long does one have to spend by the water to reap the benefits?  

Taking those questions seriously, the European Union funded a multi-year research program starting in 2016, called BlueHealth, to investigate and quantify the health benefits of having access to a blue space. Based on the research findings, tools were developed that can be helpful to environmental planners and developers, no matter the size or location of the project.

We heard the call of the sea this summer. We felt the urge to drive all the way to Maine, our closest seaside. We were drawn by past memories of its beautiful, rugged coast. You may say that we wanted to conduct our own little study (n=2).

Maine is the most northerly and the largest of the New England states. It has so much to offer with its 3,500 miles of tidal and rugged coastline, quiet inlets, and sandy beaches. It has sixty-five historic lighthouses (of which fifty-seven are still active) and innumerable charming cities and towns.

We spent most of our time on the coast. Not surprisingly, we visited several lighthouses. The Portland Head Lighthouse (our feature image) is the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S., and it is easy to understand why.

Our blue space immersion was successful. We lingered long enough to experience the magic and breathe with the rhythm of the sea. We brought back some images that we think are evocative, and we hope you enjoy the short video we made for you.