Last month I spent an incredible four days learning how to integrate the principles of #BlueHealthCoaching into my writing for wellbeing workshops and content creation for our online community. I've always intuitively known how connecting with 'blue' helps me feel good, and this was an amazing opportunity to learn the science behind the feeling.
At the stunning Bedruthan Hotel on Cornwall's wild north coast, Going Coastal founder Lizzi Larbalestier hosted three of us on the second ever Blue Health Coaching Course. This was an incredible, intense, exhausting and empowering experience as Lizzi shared so much knowledge and insight over the week. We integrated this with sea swims, cold showers, hot soaks and walks by the coast, as well as practicing one-to-one coaching with each other on the incredible beach space at Mawgan Porth.
What is 'Blue Health'?
Both lived experience and dedicated research have shown the ways in which being near, in or on the water can be positive for our mental and physical wellbeing.
I've inherently known this for a long time, always turning to the sea for solace, inspiration and escape. This year, I've wanted to learn more about how I can integrate elements of blue health into my wellbeing workshops. This might be through nature writing, walking and talking at the coast, or immersing ourselves in water in a multitude of ways.
Ocean Advocacy
Another important learning curve for me was how to be better at giving back. The interconnected water systems on our planet do so much for us, and I want to be a more vocal advocate for preserving and protecting them. Being professionally focused on people and 'human' wellbeing, I've never felt brave enough to speak out about ocean advocacy before - I've always felt under-qualified. I'm not a conservation expert or marine biologist, so I was hesitant to 'stick my oar in' when I don't know as much as other people do.
The work I've done this year has reminded me that we need artists and creatives to get behind environmental causes just as much as we need scientists to share the facts and data about them. The role of the arts is to encourage people to care.
'People protect what they love. People love what they know.'
Some people's 'knowing' and 'loving' is from scientific engagement, and some people's is from emotional interaction and lived experience. Of course many people have both, and sadly, many have neither.
My training as a Blue Health Coach has re-inspired me to cultivate a more balanced interaction with the blue spaces I know and love. I want to help the oceans as much as they help me.
Future Plans for Strength in Feathers CIC
Going forward with the Strength in Feathers programme of events for 2021, my plan is to include many more events which connect and engage us with our blue spaces here in Falmouth and Penryn. Some of these will be helping ourselves, and some of these will be helping our coastal environments. I expect many will be helping both.
I'd love for you to join me, and updates on all the happenings for next year will be announced on my monthly newsletter (sign up here) and on Facebook and Instagram profiles.