If you’ve ever been on holiday to a seaside town, then you might have been struck by the effect that it had on your state of mind. There’s something about the sight, sound, and smell of the sea that can be invigorating and stressbusting. No wonder so many of us are electing to make a permanent move to the coast.
But exactly what benefits might such a move provide? Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Boost your mental health
There are several good reasons to suppose that the seaside is great for your mental wellbeing. The quality of your sleep may improve, and you’ll get a sense of freedom and opportunity as you contemplate the water.
The therapeutic benefits of the coast are undeniable, as the calming motions of the water have been found to aid in anti-stress measures for those battling with their mental health.
On top of all that, there are plenty of opportunities for physical exercise beside the sea.
Improve physical fitness
If you live beside the sea, you’ll have ample opportunity to indulge in a range of unique sports. Surfing, sailing, coastal walking and beach running can all provide your body with a different kind of stress.
In many regions, like East Yorkshire, there are even initiatives in place to help people stay active outdoors such as Active Coast. You can benefit from an initiative of this kind in many seaside towns, and with plenty of new homes in Withernsea, transitioning to coastal life has never been easier.
Better air quality
The air here tends to be cleaner than it is further inland. If you’re used to the stifling, polluted air of a major city, then the contrast might be stark. The difference helps to bolster levels of natural serotonin, which helps to regulate our mood and keep us energised throughout the day.
There’s also a particular benefit offered by the vegetation that grows near the sea: it produces high levels of phytoncides, which, when inhaled, help to drive up white cell levels, and bolster the immune system.
Forge a stronger connection with nature
This last benefit is a little more difficult to quantify, but it stems from the association you’ll feel with the natural world. Live by the sea, and you’ll regularly run into wildlife, including amazing birds, seals, and other animals still more exotic. You’ll feel that you belong to a larger ecosystem, which can be tremendously consoling.
A more relaxed pace of life
If you’re used to racing from one appointment to the next, and constantly pursuing gains in productivity and performance, then the slower pace of a coastal existence might be precisely what’s called for. Spend your early mornings walking the dog along the beach, and your evenings recuperating while listening to the surf; you’ll soon understand the benefits of taking it down a gear!
Images: Unsplash
