The Scientific Benefits of Vitamin Sea

Photo by Malik Chadli

Flashback three years ago and I was that girl sitting by herself at the beach whilst her friends frolic around in the ocean without a care in the world knowing someone trusting is looking after their belongings.

When my boyfriend and I started dating he was shocked that I didn't want to swim in the ocean. I told him I didn't grow up swimming in the ocean and I was scared of the fish and slimy seaweed that could slide across my leg. He didn't want a bar of it and encouraged me again and again to get in the water, until I had no other choice.

Now it wasn’t as cute as Ryan Gosling “I’m sorry, get in the water, baby”, but OMG, was that the best decision ever.

Flash forward to now and I'm head over heels in love with the ocean.

The sound of the waves crashing, the force of them pulling and carrying me weightless, the insignificance I feel amongst its vastness and yet a feeling so deeply connected to nature and life itself. I love the salt left on my skin, the waves it mirrors in my hair and the cleansing of sea water after it's washed over me.

There's no denying the ocean is good for the soul, but what does science say?

Photo by Lucija Ros

Spring is my absolute favourite time of the year, however I'm constantly clogged up with hay fever and irritated by consistent sneezing. A quick dip in the ocean flushes the nose with a salty solution that reduces inflammation and any infection to the sinuses relieving allergies.

I've also battled with eczema over the course of my life. I've tried countless creams and diets to minimise skin irritation and dry skin, but nothing has worked as cheaply and effectively as ocean swims and coconut oil. Our body's largest organ is nourished by the magnesium-rich sea water that promotes the retention of moisture in the skin whilst absorbing toxins and reducing inflammation, leaving the skin fresh and vibrant.

And although I've always HATED the cold (seriously hate the cold), I've forced myself to get in and stick out the ten seconds of body shock to reap the rewards. Cold water immersion therapy is making waves around the world (pun intended). Submersion into cold water (about fifteen degrees Celsius) activates the body's natural healing powers as the system is 'shocked' to boost the immune system - oh ocean, what can't you do?

And lastly, at least from the benefits that I've discovered, exercise combined with being immersed in nature (swimming in the ocean) has been proven to reduce stress. Studies support this claim proving decreased depression and anxiety amongst participants. The weightlessness of water also has a calming effect by slowing down the brain’s waves.

So now that you've got the science, you've got no choice but to dive in.

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