Thalassophile Signs: 11 Ways to Tell You Love the Sea
- This article beautifully articulates a feeling many surfers have long intuitively understood - a profound, almost primal connection to the ocean.
- There is synergy between sea and self, a deep-rooted feeling that can feel almost primal at times.
- This connection to the ocean has a name: it's called being a thalassophile, or a person who loves the seas and oceans.
Understanding Thalassophilia: The Love of the Sea
Surfing and a connection to the ocean go hand-in-hand. There is synergy between sea and self, a deep-rooted feeling that can feel almost primal at times. The call to the water is strong, and it’s something shared by all dedicated surfers. It’s the reason we love going out on a piece of fiberglass to ride the ocean’s energy.
This connection to the ocean has a name: it’s called being a thalassophile, or a person who loves the seas and oceans. This isn’t just someone who occasionally enjoys going to the beach. A thalassophile is someone who needs to be near the coast, who feels happiest in the ocean or breathing ocean air.Basically,you’re a water baby,and being away from it creates a important feeling of discomfort or distress.
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Thalassophiles find themselves constantly returning to the ocean.When they’re away from the ocean, they feel a sense of displacement or anxiety that’s mitigated only by returning to the water. This may be one of the reasons why surfing feels so addictive-thalassophiles are nurtured by the ocean.
This term could also explain why, even when it’s flat, surfers need to be near the sea. It’s because we feel compelled to be there. Whether that’s open-ocean swimming, bodyboarding, surfing or any number of activities that keep you in the water, a thallasophile will always feel emotional and physical relief in the ocean.
As for the origin of the word, thallasophile is a Greek term that derives from thalassa meaning sea, and phile meaning to love. It should be noted that thallasophile is not a scientific term, but a descriptive word-so it should be used in that context.
But what are the benefits of being in the ocean or sea? “Blue health” is a concept that has been around for a number of years and is the general term to describe all of the physical and mental benefits of being in or near the ocean. Numerous studies have explored the link between blue spaces and improving physical and mental health.
This research suggests that interacting with blue spaces can lead to reduced stress, elevated mood and an improved sense of well-being. It is indeed the reason why organizations and charities have started bringing inner-city children and adults who have experienced trauma to the ocean as a way to improve their mental health.