Let’s talk about one of life’s simplest, cheapest, and most underrated wellness rituals: swimming in salt water. Yes, that same thing you accidentally swallow when trying to impress friends with a dive turns out to have real medical merit.
The healing magic of saltwater first caught scientific attention back in World War II. As one plastic surgeon put it, “saline baths helped the healing process after he noticed that patients who had floated in the ocean prior to rescue recovered from burns better than those who had crashed on land”. This observation inspired early protocols treating burns with cleanliness, Vaseline‑soaked gauze, and, most importantly, soaking in saline as a natural antiseptic.
The benefits continue in modern medical studies. A narrative review concludes that cold ocean swimming provides a wide variety of health benefits, including better endocrine and haematological function, fewer upper respiratory infections, improved mood, and enhanced general well‑being.
In another example of emerging science, an evolutionary biologist explains that cold‑water immersion significantly boosts dopamine (by 250%) and noradrenaline (by 520%), key neuro modulators linked to vigilance, reward, memory, and mood through the body’s adaptive response known as hormesis.
But the benefits don’t stop at the surface. Swimming in the Med invigorates circulation, helps rebalance minerals, and eases joint inflammation. Mentally, there’s the “blue mind” effect, spending time by water lowers psychological distress and enhances clarity and mood, as water sights and sounds have proven more relaxing than even music.
Socially, swimming with friends beats the gym hands-down. Salt water levels the field, makes CEOs human again when their goggles fog, and, emotionally, it humbles us, reminding us we’re part of something vast and timeless.
So next time you’re choosing between the treadmill or tide, go tide. Monaco offers you one of the world’s finest free healing pools. Dive in, float a little, breathe deeply and let the sea do what it’s been doing forever: healing, helping and making you happy.
Nathan’s Prescription
Dosage: 20 minutes, three times per week
Method: Slow swims, lazy floats, or full-blown Michael Phelps!
Side effects: Salt-crusted hair, unshakable positivity, and the urge to tell strangers “you really should get in”
Top 10 swimming spots on the Côte d’Azur
- Plage du Larvotto, Monaco – Central, glamorous, and your daily dip without leaving town
- Mala Beach, Cap d’Ail – Cliffside path, turquoise water, and worth every step down
- Paloma Beach, Cap Ferrat – Picasso’s pick, art meets aquamarine perfection
- Villefranche-sur-Mer – Calm, colourful, postcard-perfect swimming
- La Garoupe, Cap d’Antibes – Crystal-clear shallows that feel more Caribbean than Riviera
- Île Sainte-Marguerite, off Cannes – Boat across, swim in pine-scented coves
- Plage d’Eze – Hike down for the workout, swim for the cool-down
- Plage Passable, Cap Ferrat – Best at sunset — swim with a view
- Cap d’Antibes coastal path – Hidden coves for adventurous divers
- 10. Rock pools of Cap Martin – Natural saltwater basins carved into the cliffs, your secret spa
See also:
Flying high without feeling low: how to eat healthy when you travel
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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life