"I know it will make me feel better": a grounded theory of sea gazing and well-being for women in midlife.

Abstract

Background: Midlife has been identified as a period of diminished health and well-being among women. A growing body of evidence has documented positive links between interactions with the sea and well-being. To date, most qualitative researchers have focused on the experience and benefits of activities taking place in, or on, the water. Hence, this study aimed to explore the experiences of looking out to sea from the land ("sea gazing"), and how it may be related to well-being, for women in midlife.

Methods: Grounded theory methodology was used to develop a substantive theory of the relationship between sea gazing and well-being. Data were collected from 15 coastal-dwelling women, aged between 45-64 years old.

Results: The proposed theory explains a self-reinforcing, cyclical process in which sea gazing is used as a habitual self-care practice within overall well-being management. The theory was constructed around a core category of habitually reconnecting with the sea to help manage well-being.

Conclusions: Sea gazing from the land may offer a simple, affordable and accessible way for midlife women to gain well-being benefits from the sea . These results may be of interest to policymakers and healthcare professionals concerned with facilitating positive well-being outcomes for women in midlife.