Living by the sea is something most people dream of, and science is proving that coastal living can be beneficial for both our mental and physical health.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, doctors often advised their patients to recuperate by the sea. Sea bathing was a common treatment method. Fresh and salty sea air was believed to have healing properties, so it was considered an attractive way to treat those with pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis.
Today, the reason why most people choose to spend their annual leave and holidays by the sea is because we appreciate the relaxing benefits of salt water, sun and nature. So should doctors start giving nature-based prescriptions again? And even should everyone who has the opportunity settle down on the seashores?
Here are the benefits of living by the sea, supported by scientific researches:
Sea air helps you sleep better
If you feel sleepier or more rested after visiting the seaside, there is scientific fact to support why.
Dr Natasha Bijlani, psychiatrist at the private mental health center Priory Roehampton Hospital in London, explains: “Sea air is good for sleep because it is generally cleaner and fresher, so it has higher oxygen levels. This can improve your sleep quality.”
In fact, the negative ions in the sea air accelerate its ability to absorb oxygen and also help balance the level of serotonin, happiness hormones of the body.
A 2015 study by the National Trust seems to confirm the idea that getting sea air helps you sleep better because it noted that people slept an average of 47 minutes longer a night after taking a good walk by the sea. Whereas, for those who took an indoor walk of similar length, the time increased by only 12 minutes. Environmental psychologist Eleanor Ratcliffe, who led the research, explains: “It’s clear that there is something really special about the coast that allows people to lift their moods, relax and sleep.”
Improves mental health
Recent scientific research shows that living on the coast can help prevent depression and anxiety, as well as improve sleep quality.
A University of Exeter study looked at how 48 million adults in England rated their own health based on census data and where they lived. The results noted that people living near the coast experienced lower mental distress, but the situation reversed when the same people moved inland. “We found that in England people think the closer they live to the shore, the better their health,” says Dr Lewis Elliott of the University of Exeter.
Another study published in the journal Health & Place in October 2019 supported previous findings. Researchers surveyed nearly 26,000 people to analyze the mental health effects of being close to the shore. The results showed that those who lived less than 1 km from the sea were 22 percent less likely to have adverse mental health symptoms compared to those who lived more than 50 km away.
In fact, you don’t even need to get your feet wet to feel the mental benefits of living by the sea. Even looking at the vast sea in front of you can help you to look at your worries from a different perspective. When you look at the horizon, your fears may seem insignificant in the face of that eternity.
A 2015 study showed that even just having a sea view can promote improved mood and reduced heart rate. Additionally, experts agree that the sound of the waves has a calming effect.
Salt water helps the body heal
Physical recovery is another potential benefit of living by the sea. Seawater is rich in minerals such as magnesium, chloride, sodium, potassium, iodine and sulfur, many of which have healing and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Indeed, a 1999 study at the University of Freiburg in Germany found that a combination of seawater and UVB rays can improve irritating skin problems such as dermatitis and psoriasis.
Replenishing it with the minerals the body consumes may explain why bathing in salty seawater helps so many people. In addition, sea air contains a mist of salt water, which seems to have a soothing effect on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. Therefore, people with health problems such as sinusitis can alleviate symptoms by living by the sea.
Leads to a more active and therefore healthier lifestyle
A 2014 study found that people who live near the sea have a higher chance of being fit and healthy than those living elsewhere, in part because they have higher levels of physical activity. The study noted that if you live within 1 km of the coastline, you are more likely to exercise regularly.
Offering the opportunity to swim in the warmer months, the sea also creates the chance to engage in other sports such as sailing, surfing or rowing all year round. Likewise, the coastline offers pleasant routes for jogging and walking.
It is obvious that living by the sea has several benefits for both our mental and physical health. Studies show it can help with depression and offer more chances for physical activity. So, can moving to the seaside benefit us? Science seems to suggest that…
If you are looking for a coastal, airy, comfortable, private, always warm and hospitable house to live in, be sure to take a look at our properties in Antalya, Bodrum and Istanbul that we offer in our portfolio as GRAND Real Estate!
