Can sea-swimming improve my health?
Anyone who has ever enjoyed a beach holiday will know there\u2019s something special about being by the seaside. But does sea swimming actually have tangible health effects? This week\u2019s listener Holly is a self-confessed water baby, and says her regular surf sessions on Sydney\u2019s iconic Bondi beach make her feel happier and look younger. But could we get some of the benefits from the beach without getting our feet wet?
At the Plymouth Marine Lab, researchers have shown that the smell of the sea makes most people feel happier. They\u2019re measuring sea spray aerosols containing natural compounds derived from algae, that dial down the inflammatory response in lung cancer cells. Other scientists in the region have investigated the use of virtual reality to simulate being by the coast, which is proven to reduce the experience of dental pain during treatment. Finally, we visit Teats Hill in Plymouth to find out how a waterside amphitheatre and an urban beach are helping residents feel safer and more connected to one another.
Producer: Marijke Peters\nPresenter: Marnie Chesterton
Editor: Richard Collings\nProduction Coordinator: Jonathan Harris
Contributors:
Dr Frances Hopkins, Plymouth Marine Laboratory\nDr Mike Moore, Plymouth Marine Laboratory\nDr Mathew White, University of Vienna\nDr Easkey Britton
Image credit: David Sacks | The Image Bank | Getty Images | 164241179
Created for the #BBCWorldService.