To many, the thought of the deep blue, leaves them feeling all at sea. For others, it’s a breath of fresh air and a welcome escape from busy city life. Calm waters, competitive regattas or just messing about on boats … (who doesn’t remember Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham?) … Here’s how: freeing the physical self, could also be your antidote to a busy mind and life…
Float your way to remote…
With busy work lives we all need to reduce our stress. If you can’t work remotely from your own vessel, a daily weekend jaunt could be all the therapy you need. Water has long been the remedy for stress relief.
Work up a sweat…
If you’re looking to improve your fitness and four walls and a gym seem as appealing as working the weekend in the office, switch the box for infinity and the horizon. Looking for gains on the shoulders and back? Sailing and pulling lines, ropes and sails will get you there faster than anything else will.
Sailing is also great for cardiovascular fitness, it provides a high-intensity workout to take you anaerobic. When you’re on a small vessel, staying on the water rather than ending up in it is paramount, you’ll be using core muscles all day long.
Wind down…
It’s said that the salt in the air one breathes when out sailing is composed of charged ions. These it’s believed can aid in the body’s oxygen absorption, which balances serotonin levels. The more serotonin = the happier we’ll be.
Sail, signal, manoeuvre…
Manoeuvring any vehicle or vessel is a translatable skill. If you can sail or steer a boat single-handed, you’re building muscle memory in the brain to foster quick responses for all other machines.
Focus…
If you’ve ever sailed, you’ll have noticed that the ocean doesn’t care about your phone signal coverage. Forget being constantly connected and claw back time for you. Unplug and unwind. Focussing on one task actually helps us as humans to have better concentration when returning to ‘real life.’
Run a tight ship…
Messy ropes are trip ropes. Failing to plan could result in a mayday call. The key onboard is keeping a tight ship by staying tidy. Plotting your routes & knowing your vessel / route helps one stay more organised which is a catalyst for being more motivated in life.
Over and out…
Entire crew or single man at sea, as the skipper you’ll be fully licensed to use VHF marine radio. Communication skills get a boost with this outdoor pursuit.
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