Life Onboard: Sailing to New Horizons

This article was featured in the yachting magazine Numarine Insight and was written by Alara Malaz.

Spending time on or by the sea is a rich experience that engages the senses. The sound of waves breaking, the smell of the sea, the taste of salty wind, the feeling of water all around—these sensory experiences have a positive effect on our well-being.

Life onboard eases our minds. Upon waking, an endless stretch of water surrounds you. It is pretty much silent, except the occasional waves, some chatter or music that fills the air. Getting away from everyday’s stress clears your mind. Swimming refreshes your spirits and you end up feeling more energetic. Breathing in the sea air is especially soothing, even healing. Simply put, being on the sea has a substantial therapeutic impact on people.

Taking some time alone to focus on your senses can do wonders. Mindfulness, as it is often called, is a practice of keeping your attention and mind in the present. As evidenced by scientific research, the practice of mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. While attempting to focus on the present, eliminating outside factors might be a challenge in our busy lives. However, when on the boat, as you will find out, staying in the moment gets easier.

For a simple mindfulness practice, try this. Wherever you are on the boat—perhaps the deck would be the best—ensure that you are alone and free of distractions. Turn your phone off. Take a deep breath. Until you find a natural rhythm, keep breathing in and out. Focus on the sound or silence of the sea. Bathe your senses in it. If your attention wanders, each time bring it back with no judgment. Take all the time you need and when content, open your eyes. It’s all better, right?

Besides mental benefits, the sea has physical benefits as well. Sea water has almost all the major essential minerals we need; magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium, and which are absorbed through your skin. Whether you get in contact with it through swimming, diving or other water sports, salt water is exceptional for healing. It seals damaged skin and allows it to mend. Research also proves that it increases the elasticity of the skin and improves its outer appearance.

You do not have to swim in the sea to get its benefits, because as we established earlier, just breathe in the sea air. In a digital world, we are exposed to many positive ions from electrical devices. Meanwhile, the minerals in the sea air have negatively charged ions that can accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen and balance serotonin levels. These ions also help strengthen immunological defense mechanisms, while the iodine in the sea air helps regulate the thyroid gland.

Next time you are aboard or anchored to take a dip in the sea, try to develop a mindful approach to it. The minor breaks you give during the day to meditate will allow you to feel connected to nature and to yourself. If you are reading this in your home (on the land), our mind offers
us the biggest gift—our imagination. Just close your eyes and visualize the movement of water or open a calm beach waves soundtrack and draw your focus to it. You will settle into a deeply relaxed state in no time.

Interested in learning more about Numarine Yachts? Contact Alex G. Clarke, who is ready to answer any questions and start your journey to owning a new yacht.

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