Boat Insurance and loans
Mental health benefits of traveling on boat
Jul
As humans, we crave novelty—new sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences. Being surrounded by the familiar for too long can feel monotonous. When every day blends into the next with repetitive routines, our minds go on autopilot, leading to mental stagnation.
But then, a vacation whisks us away. We might find ourselves hiking through lush jungles, learning to cook regional dishes, or dancing with locals at a festival. In these moments, we feel alive again.
Travel offers a valuable opportunity to break from our routines and immerse ourselves in diverse cultures and lifestyles. For our mental health, this stimulation acts like a reboot button. Let’s explore why we should all travel more and do so mindfully.
Author and marine biologist Dr. Wallace Nichols has coined the term “blue space,” a concept that resonates with those familiar with water. Blue space encompasses lakes, rivers, oceans, bays, creeks, and even swimming pools. In his New York Times national best-seller, Blue Mind, Dr. Nichols explores how these environments impact us, describing the calming and restorative effects as “the blue mind.”
The blue mind contrasts with the “red mind,” which represents the pressures and distractions of daily life. Engaging with blue spaces helps reduce stress and offers a respite from our overstimulated lives. Dr. Nichols highlights that the connection between boats and our emotional well-being has been largely overlooked until recently.
The Mental Health Benefits of Sailing: More Than Just a Getaway
For sailing enthusiasts, the therapeutic effects of time spent at sea are undeniable. Being away from our overstimulated daily lives and immersed in the awe-inspiring environment of the ocean allows us to disconnect from chaos and connect with the peacefulness of nature. Scientific studies have shown that simply being near water can profoundly relax our bodies. Our breathing deepens and slows, stress levels plummet, and a general sense of well-being sets in almost immediately.
In Sardinia, Italy, sailing therapy has been studied successfully with individuals suffering from severe mental disorders. Sailing rehab programs have been operating worldwide for years, yielding astonishing results. However, you don’t need to suffer from a severe mental disorder to benefit from sailing. A particularly exciting finding from the Sardinian study is that the positive effects on participants’ bodies and minds were measurable up to 12 months after their sailing therapy sessions.
Sailing takes “water therapy” to the next level. A week-long vacation aboard a luxury yacht can compound the psychological and physiological benefits. Tangible benefits include decreased heart rate and blood pressure, along with increased levels of serotonin and dopamine—the essential feel-good hormones.
Why does a longer trip translate to better results? Extended sailing trips offer improved sleep and relief from attention fatigue, which overloads our prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for deep and multi-tasked concentration. This constant mental taxation from work, school, and family commitments can take a toll on our minds and bodies.
A sailing adventure is an ideal way to alleviate these stresses. When you set sail for a week-long vacation, you can truly unplug from everyday life—literally and figuratively! One of our clients described it as “meditative magic without the work of meditating.” Others have shared sentiments like, “I haven’t felt this relaxed in years,” and “I felt like I rediscovered the carefree part of myself.”
The Strength of Togetherness: When Sharing Truly Is Caring
Sharing a sailing adventure with loved ones amplifies the mental health benefits, especially for families with young children. Studies have shown that quality family time is often missing in our hectic lives. Washington State University Professor Jaak Panksepp, a world-leading neuroscientist, highlights the importance of family vacations for the “emotional refueling” of the family unit.
Anyone who has enjoyed a family sailing vacation can attest to this. Exploring, enjoying, indulging, and having fun together creates lasting memories and strengthens family bonds.
Can Sailing Therapy Be Within Your Reach?
Sailing might seem like an indulgent pleasure reserved for the wealthy, but a sailing charter can be more affordable than cruising on large liners and much more enjoyable, especially in times of heightened health concerns. You don’t need to own a boat to reap the benefits of the sea!
Rather than being confined to a floating “city” with thousands of strangers, chartering a private yacht allows you to fully immerse yourself in your beautiful surroundings. With only a gorgeous deck separating you from the sea, you can soak up the health benefits of the sea breeze, salty air, and peacefulness.
When you think of a lake or river, your mind might immediately conjure images of boating and family time. However, there are significant mental and physical health benefits of boating that make spending time on the water even more rewarding. Whether you’re sailing, fishing, or simply relaxing on a boat, these activities can enhance your well-being in unexpected ways. Here are seven health benefits of boating:
- Decrease Stress
Everyday responsibilities like work, school, and household chores can accumulate stress. While the idea of “getting away from it all” might sound cliché, the mental health benefits of boating are well-documented. Being on a boat or fishing from a kayak can significantly reduce stress levels and ease tension in both your mind and body. - Reduce Anxiety
Even a short time on the water can have profound effects on your mental health. Boating can help reduce anxiety, benefiting your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and more. Whether you’re paddling in a canoe or sailing on a yacht, the calming effect of water can help alleviate anxious feelings. - Boost Vitamin D
Boating on a sunny day allows your body to synthesize vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and helps your body absorb essential minerals like phosphorus and calcium. However, it’s important to wear and reapply high-SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. - Boating and Social Interaction
Spending time with loved ones on a boat can greatly enhance your mental well-being. Social interaction is crucial for preventing loneliness, which can lead to depression and other health issues. Whether you’re on a family vacation or enjoying a day on the water with friends, boating offers a perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships, share laughter, and enjoy each other’s company. - Physical Activity
Boating involves various physical activities, from paddling a kayak to docking a boat. These activities can provide a great workout, helping you build muscle and improve cardiovascular health. The physical exertion combined with the joy of being on the water makes boating an excellent form of exercise. - Experience Nature
Boating allows you to immerse yourself in nature, enjoying sights and sounds like birds chirping, dragonflies darting, and the gentle rustling of leaves. This connection to nature can be incredibly therapeutic, offering a sense of peace and rejuvenation that enhances overall well-being. - Science Supports It
About 60% of the human body is made up of water, and our connection to water is deep-rooted. The mere sight and sound of water can evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, a concept supported by scientific research. This intrinsic link to water helps explain why many find boating so soothing and restorative.
These benefits highlight the importance of making time for boating whenever possible. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, enjoy physical activity, or simply experience the beauty of nature, boating offers a range of advantages that can improve your overall quality of life.
