Tranquil, illuminating, awesome – welcome to the wonders of snorkelling

Immersion in water focuses the mind like nothing else – you can’t be anywhere other than the here and now. The brain doesn’t have space for that inbox full of unread emails or to ponder what to cook for dinner. Instead, it’s focused on the sensation of cold on the body and movement through the water. With external distractions removed, what’s left is an intense, immersive experience. And there’s a way to take this intensity to the next level – by snorkelling. Relatively inexpensive and accessible, it offers an opportunity to focus the attention on a mysterious marine environment that many never witness.

Breathe in the benefits

This sense of being in the moment is complemented by snorkelling’s pattern of breathing – the aim is to breathe in, pause, and breathe out, relaxing into the breath. And, just as with some forms of mindfulness meditation, where the idea is to observe thoughts as they arise and then let them go without judgment, a similar process is true when watching fish or other marine life – the mind focuses on one darting creature but then comfortably switches its attention to the next – not trying to change anything, just observing and floating on by. Although considered a low-impact physical activity, the health benefits of snorkelling are well-documented. Several studies have suggested better circulation and a reduction in upper respiratory tract infections and, despite movements being relatively slow, continuous swimming means core muscles are in constant use. The heart is also put through its paces in cold water as it must work harder to keep the body warm.