While most of us know that a trip to the seaside is good for both our mind and bodies, the evidence is stacking up that living by the sea permanently can have an ongoing positive impact on both our physical and mental health. We discover the benefits of living by the sea (and whether we need to plan a seachange soon!)
1. Natural Light and Sun
One of the main reasons that living near the coast is good for health is because of the abundance of natural light, and often extra sunlight. The coast typically has more sun than inland areas, which can help to boost our vitamin D levels and improve mood. Vitamin D is important for bone health and can also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. People who live by the coast are also far more likely to be outdoors more often than city dwellers.
2. Exercise and the great outdoors
The coast is also a great place to get some exercise, with activities like swimming, surfing, beach walking, paddle boarding and beach cricket providing a great workout. The sea air is also thought to have health benefits, with some studies suggesting that it can help to improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of certain types of allergies. Saltwater is also excellent for our skin and overall health.
3. Stress Management
The seaside is also excellent for relaxation and stress management. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the smell of the sea can have a natural calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce stress and improve mental health. The coast is also a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend time in nature, which can further improve mental health and well-being.
4. Social Connection
In addition to the physical and mental health benefits of living near the coast, there are also social benefits. Coastal communities are often tight-knit and supportive, with a strong sense of community and connection to the sea. This can help to improve social connections and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
5. Food and nutrition
Coastal dwellers will often make good use of the sea as a source of food, consuming more fish and sea life than city dwellers. With many coastal destinations being smaller towns and villages, access to fast food and takeaway is often limited meaning that healthier home cooking is more common.
6. Creativity
The ocean has a way of inspiring art and creativity with painters, writers and artists and often taking sabbaticals by the sea to be inspired. The calming sound of the waves and the vastness of the ocean can help one feel more open and relaxed, creating space for new ideas and inspiration to flow in. The ever-changing colors and moods of the sea can also be a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and creatives. The salty air and the surrounding natural beauty can stimulate the senses and provide a unique sensory experience that can lead to fresh ideas and perspectives. The ocean also has a rich history and mythology that can inspire the imagination and spark creativity.
7. Sleep
Have you noticed that you sleep better after a day by the seaside? The soothing sounds of crashing waves and the smell of the ocean are enough to have us drifting off! It is no surprise that ocean sounds have been integrated into meditation and sleep assistance apps.
While not all of us can move to the seaside due to work, family and financial constraints, making the time to spend a week by the sea every few months may be the regular wellbeing reset you need.
While most of us know that a trip to the seaside is good for both our mind and bodies, the evidence is stacking up that living by the sea permanently can have an ongoing positive impact on both our physical and mental health. We discover the benefits of living by the sea (and whether we need to plan a seachange soon!)
1. Natural Light and Sun
One of the main reasons that living near the coast is good for health is because of the abundance of natural light, and often extra sunlight. The coast typically has more sun than inland areas, which can help to boost our vitamin D levels and improve mood. Vitamin D is important for bone health and can also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. People who live by the coast are also far more likely to be outdoors more often than city dwellers.
2. Exercise and the great outdoors
The coast is also a great place to get some exercise, with activities like swimming, surfing, beach walking, paddle boarding and beach cricket providing a great workout. The sea air is also thought to have health benefits, with some studies suggesting that it can help to improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of certain types of allergies. Saltwater is also excellent for our skin and overall health.
3. Stress Management
The seaside is also excellent for relaxation and stress management. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the smell of the sea can have a natural calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce stress and improve mental health. The coast is also a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend time in nature, which can further improve mental health and well-being.
4. Social Connection
In addition to the physical and mental health benefits of living near the coast, there are also social benefits. Coastal communities are often tight-knit and supportive, with a strong sense of community and connection to the sea. This can help to improve social connections and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
5. Food and nutrition
Coastal dwellers will often make good use of the sea as a source of food, consuming more fish and sea life than city dwellers. With many coastal destinations being smaller towns and villages, access to fast food and takeaway is often limited meaning that healthier home cooking is more common.
6. Creativity
The ocean has a way of inspiring art and creativity with painters, writers and artists and often taking sabbaticals by the sea to be inspired. The calming sound of the waves and the vastness of the ocean can help one feel more open and relaxed, creating space for new ideas and inspiration to flow in. The ever-changing colors and moods of the sea can also be a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and creatives. The salty air and the surrounding natural beauty can stimulate the senses and provide a unique sensory experience that can lead to fresh ideas and perspectives. The ocean also has a rich history and mythology that can inspire the imagination and spark creativity.
7. Sleep
Have you noticed that you sleep better after a day by the seaside? The soothing sounds of crashing waves and the smell of the ocean are enough to have us drifting off! It is no surprise that ocean sounds have been integrated into meditation and sleep assistance apps.
While not all of us can move to the seaside due to work, family and financial constraints, making the time to spend a week by the sea every few months may be the regular wellbeing reset you need.
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