Feeling able to connect with the world around us and be part of something bigger can have an amazing positive effect on our state of mind and our health.

Finding means of connection to other people and the world around us is a central part of what Mental Health Awareness Week is all about. Taking place from 9-15 May 2022, this annual event aims to help support people globally in achieving good mental health.

The event was started 21 years ago, and each Mental Health Awareness Week since has had a particular theme. In 2022, the theme is loneliness – something that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore.

We at Gill are firm believers in the power of ‘blue spaces’. These are areas accessible to people that prominently feature bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or the sea.

Whether you are looking for a new hobby, or have found paddling, sailing or watersports enjoyable in the past, there’s no time like the present to take the plunge and get out on the water. And an added bonus is this can be a step towards supporting positive mental health!

The draw of the natural world

Modern life is not always geared to supporting a positive frame of mind. Life stuck at office desks, being indoors and sitting down for vast amounts of time are not great for us physically or mentally.

Getting out into nature can reawaken our sense of perspective and help us shake off some of the lethargy and stress that modern life can bring. According to the Mental Health Foundation, nature can heighten feelings of calmness, joy and creativity, and can help support concentration. Feeling connected to nature is also aligned with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Just being in nature for a couple of hours a week has been found to bring about improved levels of health and wellbeing.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, nature can play a huge role in helping you to feel grounded and with an improved frame of mind. Blue spaces in particular are an enthralling and exciting way to engage with nature. Water in its various forms presents challenges, testing our physical and mental fortitude.

The winter months can make it tricky to get out onto the water. But with the seasons changing, now is the perfect time to do so. And with loneliness being a theme this year, activities on the water present a great opportunity to meet new people.

Physical benefits of exercise in nature

The physical benefits of exercise are vast and can help people get into a positive headspace as well.

Getting active in blue spaces can boost your endorphin and serotonin levels – both of which help the body and mind to feel good. Exercise can also increase blood flow, leaving you more motivated to do things after you have finished your time in the water.

The exertion of being out in the blue space will also get your heart beating and see you work up a sweat. A workout like this is great for your body, helping you to feel alive!

Being outdoors is also an excellent way to get more vitamin D, while affording you time to reflect and immerse yourself in something completely different from normal life. Having a couple of hours where your mind is focused solely on the task at hand can give you that mental break you may need.

How watersports can boost mental wellbeing and lessen loneliness

If you have found yourself feeling in need of motivation and companionship, then watersports are a great option to consider.

Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect reason to start making some positive changes to your life. One of the best steps to take if you are keen on watersports is joining a local club or community. There are plenty of resources and websites to easily locate your nearest clubs and find ways to get involved. It's a fantastic way to meet new people, even if you're a complete beginner, there will be more in your position!

Watersports are a great way to meet new people, learn something new and engage with the world around you all at the same time. It can make you feel part of a community, and give you both physical and mental benefits that can enhance your all-round wellbeing.

Whether you are new to watersports or an experienced sailor or watersports enthusiast who has not felt the joys of being out in a blue space for a while, there is no time like the present.

Of course, you don’t necessarily need to get out onto the water itself to enjoy a blue space. A coastal walk, or wander along the edge of a river or lake, is another excellent way to engage with nature. Why not get some friends together, touch base and enjoy the glory of the natural world as a group? This is a great way to boost mental wellbeing and combat loneliness.

Enjoy Blue Spaces, Enjoy Life!

We at Gill are firmly behind Mental Health Awareness Week and want to support as many people as possible in finding activities that enhance their wellbeing.

If finding a blue space is something you are keen on, then hopefully this blog has given you some guidance that you can follow and which will help you feel a real benefit!

Checkout our blog written by India, Gill brand ambassador and SUPYoga Teacher. She spoke to us about how she used SUPYoga to change her mindset and help to combat her feelings of anxiety.

We also spoke to some other Gill brand ambassadors - about how they deal with stress and what they do to support their mental health.

If you are looking for any more information from Gill, simply get in touch with our team. We will be happy to offer our support.

#ClearerMind