Ever wondered why you sleep better at the seaside or why a short break to the coast makes you feel as relaxed and refreshed as if you’ve had a two week holiday? Well the answer lies in both the sea air and the sea water:
- Every breath you take
Taking in deep breaths of sea air makes you feel better and invigorated because sea air contains droplets of sea water which is full of salt, iodine, magnesium, potassium and other trace elements. The negative ions in the sea air accelerate your ability to absorb oxygen, which in turn improves circulation and boosts your immune system by strengthening your body’s defences. It also balances your serotonin levels, which is known as the happy hormone as the chemical is linked to mood and emotions.
Sea air isn’t just beneficial in the summer as the bracing winds in Autumn and Winter are just as healing to you and your body, plus the invigorating sea air is a very effective cure for the common cold.
- The sound of the waves
Just sitting and listening to the waves is regarded as the ultimate for relaxation and stress relief. The rhythmic sound helps relax your mind and clear your thoughts which improve your ability to think and meditate as well as enhance your problem-solving skills.
- You really will sleep better
It isn’t a myth that you sleep better by the sea as a study by The National Trust has shown that it can result in almost an extra hour of sleep a night*. A combination of the sea air with its negative ions and the sun’s energy which raises your body temperature result in you feeling tired. Add to that the all-round feel good factor you have on the beach makes you happy and relaxed which aids a good night’s sleep.
- Take a dip….. the sea is full of healing properties
Whatever the temperature, swimming in the sea increases your white blood cell count which boosts your immune system. This is particularly true when it’s on the cool side as it activates the temperature receptors under your skin to release endorphins which help relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure; adrenalin which increases the output of the heart and blood flow to muscles helping alleviate aches and pains, and cortisol which increases blood sugar and helps decrease bone formation.
Swimming in the sea also induces a steady breathing pattern which has a calming effect on the mind, and because sea water is naturally mineral-rich it also has exceptional healing properties for skin conditions.
- The natural healthy gym
Time on the beach is excellent exercise so whether you walk, jog, play games, splash in the surf or even just gather shells there are many health benefits. Scientists say it takes 2.1-2.7 times more energy to walk or run on sand than it does to move at the same pace on hard surfaces as it strengthens all the muscles between your feet and back especially your calves, quadriceps and glutes and more so if you are barefoot. Using more energy to walk or run burns more calories and it’s estimated you’ll burn about 50% more!.
Walking barefoot on sand has also been proven to help you connect with the world around you because your feet have between 3,000 and 7,000 nerve endings plus your feet are having a great massage as well as a free exfoliation!
Who knew a trip to the seaside could be so good for you, and with two beaches right on our doorstep plus easy access to the many other beautiful beaches across North Wales, spending time on the Llandudno coast is so good for your health and wellbeing. Book your healthy seaside break now and we’ve a great choice of Special Offers for the year so we’re giving you one more excellent reason to visit.
* National Trust Survey SLEEP, MOOD, AND COASTAL WALKING conducted in 2015