Harnessing the mental and physical benefits associated with close proximity to the coast, Seaham Hall hotel in Durham offers innovative ‘Blue Health’ spa breaks and wellness packages as an antidote to the January blues.

Seaham Hall, one of the finest five-star hotels in northeast England, is known for its award-winning Serenity Spa and this latest initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to offering guests innovative spa experiences and the very best wellbeing breaks in the UK.

The blue health packages and treatments have been carefully formulated, taking inspiration from the hotel’s stunning surroundings and the natural landscapes of the Durham Heritage Coast.

Blue Health refers to the health and wellbeing benefits associated with living or spending time near blue spaces such rivers, lakes, and the sea. Research suggests that spending time near water can have positive effects on both our mental and physical health.

Engaging in activities like swimming, walking along the beach, or simply being near water can be linked to reduced stress, increased feelings of wellbeing, and improved overall health. The blue health trend is part of a broader understanding of the health benefits of being in nature whether in rural areas or near water, with the wellness benefits of exposure to natural landscapes such as meadows, nature reserves, parkland and forests known as "green health."

Seaham Hall’s Serenity Spa offers a vast range of holistic beauty and wellbeing therapies using premium products including ishga. This award-winning brand uses the finest Scottish seaweed (sourced from the Hebrides, the region widely regarded as the home of the most potent seaweed varieties) as the key ingredient combined with natural spring water in its range of organoc products.

Seaweed is considered a magical hydrating ingredient in beauty products as it’s packed with the vitamins K, B, A, and E that help improve skin tone, texture, and elasticity, and it’s also high in natural antioxidants that promote collagen production which helps to plump skin and smooth fine lines.

Ishga treatments include deep cleansing facials to seaweed body wraps and are designed to promote healthy, youthful and glowing skin.

To enable guests to sample the healing power of seawood treatments and get a taste of the ‘blue health’ trend, the hotel is offering a magical spa day experience — the Blue Health Heart of the Hebrides.

The highlight of this new package is a 90-minute ishga 5 Senses ritual — an innovative face and body treatment to harmonise sight, touch, taste, smell and sound to encourage the body into a state of ultimate relaxation. A healing soundtrack using field recordings, traditional instruments and therapeutic sound techniques specially composed by Swell is played in the background. This special composition is designed to ground you in the moment, aid relaxation and transport you to the Outer Hebrides.

For an even deeper reset, guests can then chill out in Serenity Spa’s very own Swell Relaxation Suite, featuring a bespoke meditative lounge complete with sound comfort provided by Swell.

The package also includes a post-treatment Doctor Seaweed smoothie shot followed by a nourishing two-course lunch at Seaham Hall’s pan-Asian inspired restaurant, Ozone. And full access to the spa facilities, including the swimming pool, steam, sauna and hydrotherapy thermal experiences until 5pm is part of the sp day deal.