For an island nation, the UK’s love affair with the sea is often more like a holiday fling. But some urbanites get so enraptured by its siren call, they jack in their jobs, sell their homes and chase their dreams of living a coastal life. There’s science behind the sea-as-serotonin theory: last year, research by Glasgow Caledonian University found that spending time near “blue spaces” (the sea, coastline etc) lowers the risk of stress, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and mortality too.
Yet, for all its restorative delights, it’s worth remembering the sea is not without its dangers. There are treacherous rip currents, destructive waves, stinging weever fish, plus temperatures so cold they can steal the air from swimmers’ lungs, rendering them helpless within seconds. Fortunately, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards patrol more than 240 beaches UK-wide, giving much-needed reassurance to the people who have made the sea part of their daily routine.
