The power of blue health: Could water be the secret to happiness (and team morale)?
We’ve had a fantastic summer filled with water-based adventures from paddleboarding to dragon boat racing and it’s reminded us just how powerful water can be for wellbeing.
Whether you’re planning a summer event or looking for a scenic lakeside location during the cooler months, it’s important to know that being near water can be just as beneficial as being on it. The sights, sounds and serenity of a lake or river can bring the same sense of calm and focus that being out on the water does.
Nature-based interventions for mental health have been championed in recent years – most of us dutifully did our mental health walks during the pandemic – but there’s something about water that allows full immersion in nature in a way green spaces don’t. You have to be completely present in or on water, because you don't have a choice.
What is blue health?
A 2013 study on happiness and the natural environment found that blue spaces (rivers, lakes, sea) had the most positive impact on wellbeing and this area of research, which has been dubbed ‘blue health’ is growing.
Research shows that simply being close to aquatic environments:
Boosts creativity and problem-solving
Lowers cortisol levels and reduces anxiety
Lessen our chances of illness and disease
Improves mental health and social connection
Why water has such a powerful impact on us is still a mystery. Perhaps it’s because we’re 70% water ourselves, or perhaps because life on Earth began in it. Either way, the science is clear: water is good for us.
Why blue health matters for events
At any employee or delegate event, attendees’ wellbeing should be a priority not just a ‘nice-to-have.’ Without it, you run the risk of poor collaboration, engagement, morale, motivation, performance and ultimately a failing business.
Water-based activities not only energise and refresh, but they also provide a shared experience. Working together to stay balanced on a paddleboard, for example, or synchronise strokes in a dragon boat encourages trust, communication and strong interpersonal relationships.
Plus, when you’re out on the water navigating a craft, you have to be totally in sync with natural forces. The wind, the water, the weather – you have to accept and work with them. Working with the elements in this way is bringing us back to our ancestral roots.
Then there’s the focus and mindfulness element which brings people into their bodies and into the here and now, therefore reducing anxiety.
Wellness is the cornerstone of effective team-building, so it makes sense to choose activities that combine movement, nature and mindfulness.
Get out on the water at Dorney Lake
We’re proud partners with the stunning Dorney Lake in Windsor. Set in 400 acres of peaceful Berkshire countryside, the venue is well known in the sporting world having hosted the Rowing World Cup, the World Rowing Championships, and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Now, it’s available to businesses looking to escape the boardroom and try something extraordinary.
With a 2,200m pristine lake, ample green space and five meeting rooms overlooking the expanse of water, there’s a space to suit every mood and moment.
At Dorney Lake, Team Activity Group offers the following activities (explore the details of each one here):
Paddleboarding
Raft-building challenges
Rowing
Dragon boat racing
Canoeing and kayaking
Shore-based team games and wellness workshops
(All our activity leaders are qualified instructors and first-aiders, ensuring safety and satisfaction every step of the way.)
Blue spaces, clearer minds
Let’s face it, sterile, windowless meeting rooms aren’t where the best ideas are born. If you want to ignite creativity, boost morale and support your team's wellbeing, step outside and onto the water with Team Activity Group.
Join us at Dorney Lake for a day your team won’t forget and leave with a more connected and energised workforce.