Blue spaces help us to relax and recover from stress and burnout

Spending time in blue spaces is associated with positive mental and physical health benefits and is particularly good for helping to reduce stress, anxiety and burnout.

Experiencing long-term stress or severe stress can lead to feeling physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, this in turn can lead to burnout. Burnout is an official medical diagnosis according to the World Health Organisation.

Stress is a natural response and when we are stressed our body releases the hormone adrenaline the fight or flight hormone. Our ancestors developed this over generations to help us in difficult situations including coming face to face with predators in the natural world. Our modern lives are very different now but the mechanisms still exist and instead of using adrenaline to fight or run from danger we leave it to circulate in our bodies. Exercise can help although this is easier said than done especially when we experience stress at work or in our everyday lives.

Stress can affect our emotions leaving us feeling tearful, irritable, angry, anxious, hopeless, sometimes overwhelmed and even scared. Physical symptoms can include disturbed sleep, stomach problems, headaches, breathing difficulties and even a racing heart rate (always seek medical help if symptoms are concerning).