Are you thinking about moving to the beach? Lord knows hubby and I have been dreaming of doing just that the minute he retires. Our fantasy would be to have a slice of some West Palm Beach waterfront real estate as our retirement location, but we’re open to any location with a view of the beach from our living room window.
Did you know that a beach lifestyle can also impact the state of your physical and mental health for the better? Recent research into people who live by the beach versus those that live inland shows that a coastal lifestyle is a lot healthier for the average human being.
Although the exact causes of this positive health effect are unknown, the effect itself is quite remarkable. People that choose to live near the ocean enjoy a less stressed lifestyle with a better quality of life that is envied by all that are landlocked in a major city.
So, what makes living at the beach so special? Here are five health benefits of living at the beach.
Benefit #1 – Your Environment Influences Who You Are
You are a product of your environment and if you do not control it, it will control you. The hectic pace of landlocked city life is stressful, when we are stressed, our bodies release the hormone cortisol. Cortisol goes on a rampage in our bodies, creating free radicals that damage our health.
Research has shown that living at the coast can dramatically reduce levels of stress. There must be something to waking up in the morning and staring out over the water as you sip on a cup of coffee or tea. The beach lifestyle is laid back and stressful stimulus is dramatically reduced, eliminating cortisol production and releasing endorphins that increase vitality and well-being.
Benefit #2 – Get Out and Get Active
The ocean offers some amazing watersports opportunities. From jet-skiing across a bay to kite-surfing, or free-diving, the ocean has a wide variety of activities to fill your spare time and improve your physical fitness.
On land, you can expect most coastlines to feature very picturesque scenes and offer outstanding hiking and biking trails where you can ride the best cruiser bikes for women on the market. Missing out on all that is on offer from mother nature at the seaside is just not a possibility, with so much to do and see, you will find yourself getting outdoors and getting in better physical shape.
Benefit #3 – Breathing Fresh Air
The fresh, salty air of the coastline will work miracles with your lungs. Living in the city exposes us to toxins from air pollution and other environmental toxins that collect in our lungs and are pushed out into our bloodstream. Many people often experience toxic shock from a polluted environment and develop respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.
Fresh salt air has an expellant effect and cleans out your lungs of this dirt and toxins that have built up over time. There has even been interesting research into the effect of fresh salt air on serious respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, a condition where the lungs produce excessive mucus and end up suffocating the person with their own bodily fluids. Salt air clears out these blockages and lets you breathe with ease.
Benefit #4 – The Healing Power of the Ocean
Along with the expellant effect or salt air, salt water can also improve your life. The ocean has long been revered for its ability to heal wounds and improve health. Have you ever had a cut and been in the ocean? Did you notice that is seemed to heal faster than usual?
The living ocean is an ever-moving miracle that is never at rest. Taking a daily swim or surf in the sea can improve your physical and mental health, leaving you feeling revitalized and full of energy to take on the demands of the day.
Benefit #5 – An Easier Pace of Life
Living at the beach has a slower pace to it than living in a bustling city. Life seems to move slowly at the coast and you can see this effect on the faces of the people who live there. This comes as no surprise being that the hectic pace of modern living in a landlocked city is none of their concern.
Stress induces production of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol has been tied to early onset of aging and the creation of nervous disorders such as anxiety. Living at the beach removes the stress from your life and drops your cortisol production. This effect keeps you looking younger for longer and improves your physical and mental health.
The Final Word
This should actually be a no-brainer but … if you can do it, move to the beach. The waves and the sunshine are calling you home.
I love how this article talked on how the ocean can improve one’s life because of the fresh, salty air that can work wonders for the lungs. Having lived in the city for most of my life, I feel that the stress of rat-race lifestyle has worn me out. I’ve always longed to breathe fresh air from the sea. I think using my savings to buy a home near the ocean is a lovely idea. I’ll be looking into some nice beach properties that’s ideal for my budget. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the comment Marguax. My husband and I have both benefited from the healing properties of the fresh salty air of the ocean and take every opportunity to spend time at the beach. It rejuvenates our bodies and souls and gives us the strength to keep on going lol!
I love how this article talked on how the ocean can improve one’s life because of the fresh, salty air that can work wonders for the lungs. Having lived in the city for most of my life, I feel that the stress of rat-race lifestyle has worn me out. I’ve always longed to breathe fresh air from the sea. I think using my savings to buy a home near the ocean is a lovely idea. I’ll be looking into some nice beach properties that’s ideal for my budget. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the comment Marguax. My husband and I have both benefited from the healing properties of the fresh salty air of the ocean and take every opportunity to spend time at the beach. It rejuvenates our bodies and souls and gives us the strength to keep on going lol!