Breathe. Breathe properly. How often do you hear this request when you need to calm down? Because if you supply your body with enough oxygen, you bring it into balance, stay vital and thus cope with the challenges of everyday life. It's good when you can breathe pure, healthy air. Like on the North Sea island of Borkum. The offshore winds prevail here and create a naturally bracing climate. The low-allergen air, swirled with fine sea water droplets, has a calming effect on the mucous membranes and clears the respiratory tract. Breathe. Breathe freedom. This is what Borkum offers.
Allergy friendly with distinction
At around 31 square kilometers, Borkum is the largest East Frisian island. It belongs to the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, but, in contrast to the other islands, is surrounded by sea water and has no mudflat connection to the mainland. This special island location, 20 kilometers from the mainland, determines Borkum's special high seas climate. The interaction of sun, wind and sea strengthens the immune system and brings physical and mental well-being into balance. Aerosols, the finest droplets of sea water that are thrown into the air in the surf zone, penetrate deep into the bronchi when you walk by the sea and have a strong expectorant effect. Borkum is considered the sunniest island in Germany, with around 2000 hours of sunshine per year, and has repeatedly been recognized as an allergy-friendly island by the non-profit European Foundation for Allergy Research (ECARF).
Holidaymakers can therefore rely on the fact that numerous hosts and shops have adapted to allergy sufferers and, in addition to the Borkum sea air, ensure a carefree holiday.
One island – three climate zones
In addition to the healthy high sea air of the North Sea, Borkum also has an impressive natural landscape. Special forms of movement therapy can therefore be offered on carefully signposted therapy routes, which are characterized by experiencing the landscape, spending time in the open air and adapting physical stress. These so-called climatic terrain cures are favored by the three different climate zones on Borkum. Inside the island you are protected from the wind by buildings, forests and dunes. Incidentally, Borkum's forest was only planted around 85 years ago and has developed into a veritable primeval forest. Only Borkum offers the opportunity to breathe in forest air on a German offshore island. The external area is dominated by strong cooling stimuli and intense sunlight. For example, heliotherapy uses natural sunlight to prevent skin diseases, vitamin D deficiency and depressive states. In addition, climate therapy supports the strengthening of the immune system. On-site spa doctors advise on climatic terrain cures. There are ten different spa tours to choose from.
www.borkum.de/blog/klimakur-auf-borkum
Lots of sand and mudflats as healing clay
Of course, hikes on the beach and through the mudflats are also part of the vitality program in Borkum. If you want to walk between waves and sand, you have the opportunity to do so on 26 kilometers. No other North Sea island offers so much beach. Anyone who encounters the North Sea barefoot relaxes, slows down and feels nature up close.
When running on sand, the foot has to adapt to the uneven ground and every single foot muscle is trained. In addition, the sand massages the soles of the feet with every step.
This also applies when hiking in the mudflats. When the tides clear the seabed, you should go for a little mud cure. The mud is considered the “healing clay of the North Sea”. It contains essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, sulfur and phosphorus and promotes blood circulation, stimulates metabolism, has an anti-inflammatory and purifying effect. This improves the complexion and strengthens the connective tissue. However, you should not undertake mudflat hikes alone. Mudflat guides know the ebb and flow and provide information about the unique nature: around 10.000 species of single-celled organisms, fungi, plants and animals such as worms and mussels, fish, birds and mammals live here.
Thalassotherapy: Healing with the sea in the middle of the sea
The sea is a natural ally of people and their physical and mental well-being. It is a traditional recognition that the ingredients of the sea have an invaluable quality for human health. Well-being and relaxation are increased with algae, salt water and fresh North Sea mud. The ingredients also have an anti-inflammatory and circulation-stimulating effect. Thalasso therapy (Greek: thalassa = sea) emerged from ancient knowledge and has become a fascinating modern practice that combines cosmetic and medical aspects in the most beneficial way. Sea water baths, mud packs and sea salt peelings are healing, preventive, tissue-firming, revitalizing and beneficial forms of application. The cosmetic effect of Thalasso should not be underestimated.
Restorative, moisturizing and purifying active ingredients ensure good blood circulation in the skin, stimulate cell metabolism, smooth lines and wrinkles and help stressed skin regain its elasticity. On Borkum there are... Gezeitenland and various thalassotherapy therapies are offered in many partner hotels. It was not until 2021 that the North Sea spa was recertified as a thalasso region after a review lasting several days.
The Gezeitenland: Adventurous and fitness fun
The healthy but slippery mud flats are not for everyone. And it should happen that it rains briefly on Borkum too. What should you do if you still want to stay healthy and fit with the help of the North Sea? On to Gezeitenland. The Gezeitenland on Borkum stands for a variety of leisure and well-being offers for young and old. Water fun in the adventure deck, relaxation and well-being in the sauna area and as part of thalasso therapy.
In addition to the course, sports and adventure pools, the wellness and leisure facility has a spacious outdoor area and two spectacular water attractions: the FlowRider, a permanently installed surfing facility for children, teenagers and adults, as well as the 75 meter long giant slide for young and old. The average temperature of the pools is 29 degrees. There are also four different sauna types to choose from in the wellness oasis: an infusion sauna with all-round views, an aroma sauna with a color-changing starry sky, a steam bath and the panoramic sauna with a large window front and fabulous views of the North Sea. On the 500 square meter roof terrace
You can relax wonderfully with deck chairs and parasols with a fantastic sea view.
But it's not just experience and relaxation that are at the forefront of the swimming pool's diverse offerings, but also physical and mental vitality. The “Via Sensus”, the “Path of the Senses”, is a 20 meter long foot reflexology path that consists of 1.400 manufactured ceramic stones of different shapes. It has been proven that a walk on this exercise course promotes the intensity and impact of stimuli in the stomach and intestines as well as in the entire organism. Baths, massages, packs and cosmetic treatments are also offered in the wellness area in a quiet atmosphere. The spectrum ranges from classic massages to Far Eastern experiences, such as the Pantai Luar full body massage, Shiatsu or Thai massage.
The adventure and wellness oasis is completed Gezeitenland thanks to its versatile fitness area on a total area of 400 square meters. Whether it's health-oriented training in an equipment park or building strength in the free weights area - with treadmills, steppers, ergometers, balance trainers and weights, a wide variety of training needs are met here. Sports courses on water and on land are also offered, including aqua jogging, Pilates and yoga. Various check-ups are parts of a personally tailored training program.