Phew! 20 miles in today's hot weather for @rambler1978 walking alongside rivers to keep as cool as possible. #bluespaces

straighr up pencil doodling it. and by “It”. heh. lets iust say. my birthday bluespaces.

Why don't you mention what is already being done: that in January the River Gipping Trust @GippingTrust won the Kingfisher Award for the Best Essex and Suffolk Water community-focused Bluespaces project, and in February

🙌 Connecting with blue spaces by walking or running along the Thames Path beside the River Thames helps people feel better. If the ground is too muddy and wet today (there are flood alerts) download a walk for later walks.gojauntly.com/collecti… #BlueMonday #bluespaces

We held our final Men's Time Fishing of the season in beautiful Autumn sunshine this morning. 15 men with 3 new attended today, we hope you all enjoyed the session. We've held 11 sessions across the season including 3 new Twilight sessions in the middle of the summer which were very positive and our annual joint session with MensCraft 134 men attended with 24 new to the Foundation's Fishing. We believe the Fishing has a very positive impact men's wellbeing, whilst being in nature is a key benefit there are many others which are well researched. 🎣 Mental Health & Wellbeing - Encourages mindfulness through nature - Reduces stress and anxiety - Offers a non-judgemental space 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social Connection - Builds friendships - Creates space for meaningful conversations - Strengthens bonds 🌿 Nature & Environment - Reconnects participants with the outdoors - Sparks interest in conservation - Provides an environment that supports relaxation and creativity 🧠 Skill Building & Confidence - Teaches patience, observation and problem solving - Offers a sense of achievement - Encourages mentoring and peer support 💬 Stigma-Breaking Potential - Normalizes talking about mental health - Allows for vulnerability without pressure — “just two mates fishing” We will be back in March 2026 with our Fishing so please keep an eye for more details over the summer. #Wellbeing #bluespaces #fishingtherapy #856Foundation

With help from Nextdoor Nature and funding from Northumbrian Water’s Bluespaces programme, the Washington Wildlife Group has recently installed a new nature trail at James Steel Park. Read more 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/sian-white…

**Can a Water View Boost Your Mood? The Science Says Yes!** Spending time near water—whether it’s a serene lake, a flowing river, or the vast ocean—may do more than just soothe your soul. Emerging research suggests that being around water, often referred to as "blue spaces," can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and enhance mental well-being. Here’s a look at how water views can lift your spirits, backed by science. 1. **Promotes Calm and Reduces Stress**: Studies show that proximity to water can create a calming effect, lowering stress and depressive symptoms. The sensory experience of water—the sound of waves, the sight of rippling reflections, or even the smell of the sea—engages our senses in a way that promotes relaxation and mindfulness. A 2022 article from Headlight explains that blue spaces foster a sense of awe, encouraging outward thinking and reducing self-focused stress, which can alleviate feelings of depression. This meditative quality of water views helps quiet the mind and fosters a positive mental state. [Read more](headlight.health/mental-heal…)[](headlight.health/the-science…) 2. **Encourages Physical Activity and Connection**: Being near water often inspires physical activities like walking, swimming, or simply sitting by the shore, which are linked to improved mental health. A 2015 study from Stanford University found that exposure to natural environments, including water, can measurably reduce the risk of depression by enhancing mood and cognitive function. The study highlights how water views can draw us into nature, encouraging mindfulness and physical engagement that counter depressive symptoms. [Read more](news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30…)[](news.stanford.edu/stories/20…) Next time you’re feeling low, consider a trip to a nearby lake, river, or beach. The science suggests that just gazing at the water could be a simple, accessible way to boost your mood and ease depression. #MentalHealth #BlueSpaces #NatureHeals

🌊🐋 Happy World Orca Day! Orcas habit blue space from Scotland, Northumbria, & even Cornwall. Support respectful wildlife watching by backing #OperationSeabird: (crowdfunder.co.uk/p/marine-e…). Together, we can protect these amazing habitats & wildlife 🐋#WorldOrcaDay #BlueSpaces

Our Blue Gala is tomorrow! Thank you to each of our 2025 event sponsors—with your dedicated support, we’re making progress on projects that restore and protect our creeks, streams and wetlands. 🌊💙 #CHGala #BlueSpaces #CHFoundation

Coastal living adds years to your life while inland waters may cut them short news-medical.net/news/202505… #bluespaces #lifeexpectancy #coastalhealth #urbanhealth #environmental #publichealth #airquality #climateimpact #healthequity #urbanplanning

We’re running a short survey on how blue spaces (rivers, lakes, coasts 🌊) support people & nature. 🕒 Takes 5 mins, totally anonymous. 👉 Please take part & share — the more voices, the better! #BlueSpaces #Research #PhD #Nature #Rewilding #SurveyBlue app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk…

🏄‍♀️ "Going surfing with The Wave Project makes me feel free!" #SurfTherapy uses #BlueSpaces as a powerful setting in which to support children and young people around the UK. Visit our website to find out more. 👇 waveproject.co.uk/get-involv…

Bluespaces Manager, Siân Whitehead, knows a thing or two about starlings. In fact, she did her PhD on them. In this blog, Siân shares some fascinating facts on this often awe-inspiring, murmurating species 👉 durhamwt.com/blog/sian-white… 📷 Hamish Paterson

We're excited to announce two new opportunities to join our dedicated team! Could you be our next Bluespaces Officer or Volunteer and Community Involvement Officer? Visit our recruitment page to find out more about these roles and how to apply: essexsuffolkriverstrust.org/…

🐳 GET OUTSIDE! 🐳 All this week we'll be sharing our tips for connecting with #bluespaces to boost physical and mental wellbeing. Check out our blog post for more tips this #FebruaryHalfTerm 👉 loom.ly/oep4Ee0

🌸 February half-term is upon us. Check out our latest blog post for our top 5 ways to connect with #bluespaces and boost your mental and physical wellbeing: loom.ly/oep4Ee0

Research suggests that blue spaces can improve our mental well-being in two ways: by reducing anxiety and mental fatigue, and by fostering a deeper sense of connection to nature. Learn more: bluezones.com/2025/01/how-ti… #bluezones #livebetterlonger #longevity #bluespaces

If you’re attending #TASA2024, join our Urban Sociology session today at 11am. We have 4 amazing speakers who are going to speak about #housing, #greenspaces & #bluespaces & #snakes @TASAUrban @AustSoc

Attended an excellent @UlsterUniPhD Supervisor Network meeting with the theme focused on ‘PhD Researcher Wellbeing’ by @DrKarenKirby1👏 Took the opportunity to boost my own wellbeing on a gloriously calm day🧘 #BeKindToYourselfToBeKindToOthers #BlueSpaces #NoFilter #SoundOn 🔈

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we'd like to highlight the importance of our blue spaces. Having access to clean rivers, lakes or seas can make a huge difference to our mental health. 🌊😌 Tom Mason, the founder of @blueballscwl – the wild swimming group for men – shared his story with us: "It was one freezing mid-December morning back in 2020. I braved the icy shock of the ocean with a dip in Porthtowan Tidal Pool. Unbeknown at the time, but this dip changed my life. I came out absolutely buzzing and wanting more." Check out the full story: pulse.ly/4vxaopvaee #BlueSpaces