Reaching better mental health could be just an ocean away

Scientist and Surfer Dr. Easkey Britton spoke to Inspirefest 2018 about how the water around us can play a crucial role in our mental well-being

. For Dr. Easkey Britton, there is no better place to relax than the ocean.

Speaking to Inspirefest 2018, the scientist and surfer talked about how the mere experience of water can leave a powerful imprint on our body and mind. It's a multisensory experience.

"She is visually stimulating, with a thousand shades of blue in constant motion," she says, "and ribs exposed to the waves release negative ions that alter our biochemistry."

In her work, she saw a strong and troubling division between what we define as society and the oceans, despite the fact that they have fundamentally shaped our lives for thousands of years.

found ways to overcome this disconnect as a researcher of the Nature and Environment Project for Attain and Restore (NEAR) Health.

Underway at NUI Galway, the project aims to connect peop More generally, the NEAR Health project is to design and pilot inclusive, nature-based solutions to help communities value the environment, maintain healthy lifestyles, and promote and restore the well-being of people. to be.

Becoming Literate

Britton saw first-hand the effects of the ocean on our well-being as part of the Be Like Water project in which she traveled to Iran to connect girls and women women surfing the oceans. Unfortunately, this precious resource is threatened by waste that we have rejected, with estimates suggesting that by 2050 there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

The only solution, Britton said, is to make society more "literate", connecting us to the oceans to understand their importance and power.

Speaking of Ireland, she said, "What if we could become the first nation? to be literate in the ocean, speak fluently the language of the sea? It is thanks to this understanding that there is empathy and connection, and this is how we overcome the challenges we face.

Inspirefest is the international event of Silicon Republic. the arts collide. The Ultra Early Bird tickets for Inspirefest 2019 are now available .