Ahoy Mama! 7 Reasons why You Should Try Sailing

If you’re looking for a new summer activity that allows you to enjoy the beautiful weather and the great outdoors, but you’re not exactly “outdoorsy” then we’ve got good news for you. Sailing is the ultimate sport to enjoy fresh air, experience nature at it’s best, and also relax. That’s right, you can be adventurous and relaxed all at the same time! While some people may grow up sailing and others have never stepped foot near a boat, there are undeniable benefits to spending time on the open water.

As Huff Post reports, Epidemiologist Lora Fleming of the University of Exeter in England explains “research shows that spending time by the ocean has many positive effects on health and well-being.” Beyond that, Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, believes that we all experience «a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment» that’s triggered when we’re in or near water. And since many of us might not be entirely comfortable surfing or scuba diving, and we can’t necessarily afford to live right on the beach, sailing is a perfect solution to get you on the water, enjoying your life in a whole new way. Here are 7 more reasons you should learn to sail.

1. You Will Clear Your Mind

Sometimes you need to step away from the chaos of life and just let your mind be still and calm. It’s hard to do this when you’re sitting in your home or your office, and it’s definitely difficult if your kids are screaming at you or your boss is sending demanding emails every two minutes. When you go sailing it’s just you, your boat, the ocean, and pure, unadulterated peace. Take the opportunity to truly escape and just clear your mind.

2. You’ll Learn to Appreciate Nature

It can be easy to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that you forget to stop and look around you. There’s beauty all around us, but you need to train your mind to see it and appreciate it. And sailing is an amazingly soothing way to reconnect with nature and marvel in the gorgeous sites that exist in our often-ugly world.

3. You’ll Challenge Yourself

As an adult, how often do you try something new? A new hobby can introduce you to a new passion and can prevent you from falling into a rut. According to physician and Buddhist Alex Lickerman M.D., “growth seems to require we take new action first, whether it’s adopting a new attitude or a new way of thinking, or literally taking new action. Thrusting yourself into new situations and leaving yourself there alone, so to speak, often forces beneficial change.” Don’t be afraid of the unknown, instead be open to a new challenge and a new experience—it might change your life and open your eyes to a new source of fulfillment.

4. You’ll Meet New People

Getting on sailboats is not just a hobby for many people; it’s a lifestyle and a community. Perhaps it’s because it takes time and effort to learn to sail, and because it also requires you spend a lot of time on a boat (and therefore in marinas and coastal areas), but boaters feel a sense of connection to one another. By learning to sail you’ll be expanding your social circle and meeting new, interesting people.

5. Your Self-Confidence Will Increase

When you sail a boat, you are literally piloting your own transportation craft. Most of us drive cars or can ride a bike, but sailing a boat is different. You learn to steer and navigate the water, you learn to read the weather and the wind, you have to trust your instincts and you often have no one to depend on but yourself. It instills a sense of self-confidence because above all, you need to believe in yourself.

6. You Can Share your Skills with Your Family

It’s not just an adult activity—it’s a kid-friendly and family-friendly sport that you can enjoy with your little ones. You’ll bond as you learn together and you’ll grow close as you spend quality (and distraction-free) time on the boat. Kids benefit from being on a sailboat by learning spatial awareness, responsibility, an appreciation for nature.

7. You’ll Learn (and Encourage) Commitment and Responsibility

There is more to sailing than just the actual act of sailing. You need to learn to rig and unrig a boat. You need to learn to clean a boat. You need to practice basic maintenance and you need to take responsibility for your gear, your vessel and your time. Sailing is relaxing and a great way to unwind, but it’s also a commitment, and the ability to commit to a goal and see it through is a life skill we could all master.

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