Sea Health Benefits: People who live near the coast have a better quality of life

According to recent scientific evidence, living near the coast increases your chances of adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Holidays at sea and diving in mineral-rich seawater have been used since ancient times as methods of treating a wide range of ailments. The sea as an appropriate place of healing has a long history. Victorian doctors prescribed seaside trips and coastal stays, while the ancient Greeks harnessed the mineral-rich seawater for therapeutic purposes. Recently, researchers have found that proximity to the seashore is related to quality of life and overall health. In the following text we will take a dive into the beneficial benefits of the sea for health.

• As Dr Arghya Sarkhel, a mental health consultant points out, “the coastal lifestyle encourages us to exercise regularly. Whether we walk slowly along the beach or go for a brisk jog, the chances of exercising increase the closer we live to the sea. Exercise in turn has been shown to increase neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline, that are deficient in psychological conditions such as depression. Therefore, it is not surprising that people who live near the sea lead a healthier lifestyle.

• In addition, swimming or a quick dip in the sea is so energizing for the body and soul that it promotes regular self-care, facilitating a healthier approach to overall health and well-being. An hour of free swimming can burn about 500 calories, while if you swim in cold water, the body burns more.

• In particular, when it comes to mental health advocacy, Dr. Arghya Sarkhel, points out that "the sound and sight of seawater can lift our mood," while in addition, the sand and smell of coastal air lead to the mind in a state of relaxation. On a biological level, this is because the audio-visual stimulus of the seashore stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system – which is responsible for triggering the feeling of relaxation.

• In fact, entering seawater has been found to induce a deep meditative state, as a result of changing breathing patterns and slowing the heart rate. For many regular swimmers, a dip in the sea is a spiritual experience, in which stress and worries fade away.

Source: https://www.healthweb.gr/nea-ygeias/thalassa-ygeia-ofeli-oi-anthropoi-pou-zoun-konta-stin-akti-exoun-kalyteri -poiotita-zois-vid