The Blue Benefits: When the Sea Takes Care of Body and Mind
- chloe67523
- Aug 19
- 5 min read
When the summer arrives, many people dream of seaside holidays, enjoying peace, fresh sea air and sunshine.
Coastal environments offer the perfect setting to relax and recharge. But beyond the pleasure they bring, these blue landscapes can have a real impact on our physical and mental health.
The benefits of the sea for well-being
After a day at the beach, we often feel a pleasant kind of tiredness, as if the sea had taken away all our built-up tension.
In fact, it’s a sign that both body and mind have been refreshed!
But how can this be explained?
It is often said that sea air soothes and restores!
Breathing salty sea air brings an immediate feeling of relaxation. This air, full of humidity and negative ions, especially superoxide ions (O ₂⁻), helps release tension, promotes relaxation and contributes to better sleep.
Negative ions, particularly superoxide ions, have been linked to several proven benefits:
Reduced symptoms of seasonal depression. 😢
Improved cognitive and motor performance. 🧠
Anti-inflammatory effects and metabolic support. 🔥
Better tissue oxygenation (still debated). 💨
By stimulating the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone, sear air helps create a positive mindset and an overall sense of well-being. 🧘
A day by the sea also means more exposure to natural light, essential for regulating our internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This regulation plays a key role in sleep quality especially for people with irregular habits.
To relax, some people even listen to the sound of waves before sleeping. 😴
It is well known that natural sounds help us fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper reset. The sound of waves is one of the most popular and effective forms of natural “white noise”. Its steady rhythm, like a heartbeat, creates a comforting effect widely used in relaxation and meditation to induce calm.
Finally, simply gazing at the vast ocean 🌊 creates a feeling of space and freedom, perfect for clearing the mind.
The sea is therefore beneficial in many ways thanks to what we call a synergic effect.
Sea air, sunlight ☀️, the sound of waves, and the view all work together to soothe both body and mind. This multi-sensory experience helps physical recovery, boosts mood, and contributes to better sleep.
That is why so many studies have been conducted on the benefits of these aquatic environments.
The power of "blue spaces" on our mood
The BlueHealth project
BlueHealth is a pan-European research initiative funded by the “Horizon 2020” program.
Focuses on the links between blue spaces, climate and health,💙 combining interdisciplinary approaches to study how well-being can be promoted through the development of blue infrastructures (seas, lakes, rivers).
In Europe, more than 200 million people live in cities located along coasts, rivers or lakes. BlueHealth aimed to provide strong scientific evidence to help decision-makers integrate these environments into urban planning, reduce health inequalities and adapt to climate change.
BlueHealth’s findings show that living near a blue space or spending time in one brings many benefits:
Reduced stress and improved mood 😢
Cognitive stimulation: concentration, mental “reset” 🧠
Increased physical activity: walking, cycling, water sports, leisure, fishing 🚴
Stronger social ties thanks to pleasant gathering places 🤝
Better quality of life: climate benefits, less noise, cleaner air 🥰
The international BlueHealth survey, carried out with more than 15,000 adults in 18 countries, showed that people who spent time near blue spaces during childhood were more motivated to visit natural environments later in life—leading to long-lasting well-being in adulthood.
The project confirms that living near blue spaces is closely linked to better mental health.
Concrete actions from BlueHealth
BlueHealth members also carried out real interventions in different countries, scientifically measuring their impacts:
BlueHealth even explored the benefits of blue spaces through virtual reality for people who cannot access them physically (hospital patients, nursing home residents, etc).
Virtual underwater immersions helped reduce stress and boredom, while virtual coastal walks were tested to lessen pain during medical treatments.
The sea as a source of essential nutrients
A rich ecosystem
Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet and are home to fascinating biodiversity: fish, shellfish, mollusks, algae...
Each plays a key role in the marine balance, but many also provide bioactive compounds with valuable effects on human health.
Fish, for example, are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, good for the heart and brain. Shellfish provide zinc and selenium, essential for the immune system.
This natural wealth offers a unique variety of nutrients: high quality proteins, essential fatty acids, rare minerals and vitamins often lacking in land-based diets.
Algae: a nutritional treasure
Among all marine resources, algae are particularly valuable.
Nori, wakame, kombu, spirulina… They are low in calories but extremely rich in nutrients: iodine, iron, calcium, magnesium, fiber, omega-3, and vitamins A, C, E, K, and B12.
They also contain polysaccharides with prebiotic properties (alginate, fucoidans, carrageenans), which support gut health, increase satiety, and help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol.
Some edible algae with many health benefits:
A healthy diet
Including algae in a balanced diet can significantly improve nutritional intake, especially for vegetarians thanks to their vitamin B12 content.
However, it is important to choose quality products (organic, certified) and consume them in moderation, considering the risks of excessive iodine intake.
Abyss Ingredients: when the sea inspires health
Marine inspiration at the heart of our innovations
Abyss Ingredients, was founded by three enthusiasts: a fisherman, a scientist and an entrepreneur, all deeply connected to the sea and its resources.
In the early 2000s, they noticed that tons of fish by-products, rich in nutrients, were being thrown away each year for lack of use.
Driven by the same ambition to turn these underused resources into health solutions, they created Abyss Ingredients in 2004 with a new concept: upcycling local fish by-products into human health ingredients for the dietary supplements market. For 15 years, Abyss grew in France and internationally.
In 2019, the company entered a new phase with the arrival of investors (GO Capital) and a new CEO. This gave a strong boost to R&D and reinforced its commitment to innovation, with a clear goal: to design ever more effective ingredients, backed by scientific evidence, and to share its expertise in new markets.
20 years later, our ambition remains the same: to use marine resources to create natural, proven ingredients for health and well-being.
Developed through scientific expertise and strong partnerships, our marine-based ingredients also support a local circular economy—values and sustainability are at the core of our identity.
The role of our marine ingredients
Our active ingredients target different sectors of nutraceuticals and nutricosmetics market: cognitive health, skin beauty, dermoceuticals, joint comfort, stress and sleep management, and cardiovascular health.
The sea is much more than a holiday backdrop—it is a true ally for our physical and mental health. Sea air, sunlight, the sound of waves, physical activities, and the ocean’s nutritional wealth together create a unique set of benefits.
At Abyss Ingredients, we are inspired by this exceptional environment to create natural solutions that combine well-being, innovation, and respect for the planet.
References
Sea Air and its healing properties - BeachHealthRetreat
The health benefits of sea air to the elderly - Fine Magazine
Sea air and sleep : how a day at the beach can help you get a better night's sleep - Bensons
BlueHealth Website
Santé bleue : comment la mer influence notre bien-être physique et mental - Equinox
Détente, sommeil, respiration : les bienfaits de la mer sur la santé - Doctissimo
Les 6 bienfaits de la mer sur la santé - Ma vie en +
Mechanisms of impact of blue spaces on human health: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis - Georgiou et al, 2021
Blue care: a systematic review of blue space interventions for health and wellbeing - Britton et al, 2018
