Stuff New Zealand

New Zealand has 15,000km of coast line, so it is unsurprising that the ocean is a huge part of our lives and our culture. 

It is, of course, essential for life, producing 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe, but it also has a profound effect on our mental state too. It has unique meditative qualities, forcing our brains to switch off – a state author and marine biologist Wallace J Nichols PhD calls 'Blue Mind'.

This almost hypnotic state, induced by the sound of waves and the vastness of the horizon, is the perfect antidote to our busy, device filled lives. Swimming in the sea adds to the calming effect: ocean water is rich in magnesium, a mineral that is absorbed through our skin, reducing stress levels and improving insomnia.

Read more here.