Why science says living near the sea is good for our health

Advantages of living near the sea

If you’re thinking of moving closer to the sea, here are four science-backed health benefits that might convince you to move to the coastal lifestyle.

1. Sea air helps you sleep better

If you feel sleepy or restless after visiting the sea, there is a clear scientific explanation. Dr Natasha Bellani, a psychiatrist at Priory Hospital in Roehampton in London, said sea air is good for sleep because it’s generally cleaner and cooler, with higher oxygen levels, which can improve sleep. This is because the negative ions in the sea air speed up your ability to absorb oxygen and also help balance the levels of serotonin, one of the happiness hormones in your body.

A 2015 study by the National Trust endorsed the idea that breathing sea air helps you sleep better. The study found that people slept an average of 47 minutes longer at night after taking a long walk on the seashore, compared to just 12 minutes for those who walked the same length on land. “There’s clearly something really special about the coast that helps people lift their mood, relax and sleep,” said Eleanor Ratcliffe, an environmental psychologist who conducted the research for the National Trust.

2. The coast improves your mental health

In addition to improving sleep, recent scientific research shows that coastal living can also help prevent depression and anxiety.

A study from the University of Exeter looked at census data from 48 million adults in England and how they rated their health in relation to where they lived. The results showed that people who lived near the coast experienced less mental distress, but when those same people moved inland, the effects reversed. “We found that the closer to the coast people lived in England, the more they rated their health,” said Dr Lewis Elliott of the University of Exeter.

In addition, another study published in October 2019 in the journal Health & Place supported their earlier findings. Researchers surveyed nearly 26,000 people to analyze the mental health effects of being close to the coast. The results showed that those who live less than 1 km from the sea are 22% less likely to develop mental health symptoms than those who live more than 50 km. This confirms an earlier study from 2013 which concluded that you are more likely to have better mental health if you live within 5km of the UK coast.

3. Salt water helps your body heal

Improvements in physical health is another potential benefit of living near the sea. Seawater is rich in minerals such as magnesium, chloride, sodium, potassium, iodine, and sulfur, many of which have therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. In fact, a 1999 study conducted by the University of Freiburg in Germany found that a combination of seawater and UVB rays can improve skin problems such as dermatitis and psoriasis.

Kevin Benitez Garcia of Gran Canaria Wellness said, “A seawater soak is a natural skin remedy – great for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.” For psoriasis, cell turnover is high, so replenishing the skin with minerals that the body has used could explain why bathing in salty ocean water helps so many people.

4. A more active and therefore healthier lifestyle

A 2014 study in the United Kingdom found that being close to the coast increases your chances of being fitter and healthier than those who live elsewhere, in part because those who live near the sea have lower levels of physical activity. In fact, the study found that you are more likely to exercise regularly if you live within a kilometer of the English coast.

Dr Elliot from the University of Exeter told Coast Magazine: ‘We know that when people go to the beach there are opportunities for physical activity and people are more likely to stay longer. Physical activity has a strong impact on mental health, and when combined with the natural coastal environment, these effects become even stronger.”

It is clear from the research that there are various benefits of living near the sea for our mental and physical health. Studies show that it can help with depression and that the coastal environment provides more opportunities for physical fitness. So if we all enjoy our holidays by the sea, can a permanent move to the coast benefit us? Science seems to indicate that. “The cumulative effect of living close to the sea could have a much larger impact in the long term,” said Dr. Elliot.