Sea Air and Sleep: How a Day at the Beach Can Help You Get a Better Night's Sleep
Gemma HenryThere's something really special about a day trip to the beach. From the warmth of the sun on your skin to the soothing, rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore and beyond, the beach is packed with elements that can help to promote that much needed feeling of relaxation and improved well-being.
But did you know that spending time by the sea can also help to improve the quality of your sleep? Here we'll explore the connection between sea air and sleep quality. Read on to learn just how a day at the beach can help you get a better night's rest.
The benefits of sea air
Sea air is actually rich in negative ions (1). These charged particles are linked to several different health benefits including boosting your mood and increasing your energy levels (2).
Generally, you’ll find negative ions in abundance near bodies of water, especially near oceans and waterfalls. When we breathe in the sea air, we’re inhaling these favourable negative ions which can have a calming effect on both our bodies and our minds. Spending time at the beach helps to ease our minds. It can reduce our stress levels and promote a sense of relaxation, both of which are integral when it comes to promoting quality sleep. Considering the soothing sound of waves and the gentle rhythm of the tides, a day at the seaside can really help the shush a busy mind and encourage us to transition into a more tranquil headspace.
What’s more, walking barefoot on the sand – and who doesn’t love the feeling of sand between their toes?! – (aka grounding or earthing) is also great for reducing stress levels and improving our sleep quality. Grounding is actually a handy tool that help us to synchronise our circadian rhythms (3). A day at the beach helps to regulate circadian rhythm
A day at the beach offers some extra exposure to natural light, and in particular, sunlight. Natural light is key when it comes to regulating our body's internal clock (aka the circadian rhythm). So, given that spending time at the beach exposes you to natural sunlight which is integral when it comes to resetting your circadian rhythm and improving those sleep-wake cycles, it’s easy to see how the seaside can have a positive influence on our sleep. In fact, a day at the beach could be even more beneficial for those of us who regularly experience disruptions in our sleep patterns too! If you’re a shift worker, suffering from jet lag, or subjected to irregular sleep schedules, you may find that a day at the beach does you a world of good!
A day at the beach boosts your chances of being physically active
A day at the beach often tends to go hand in hand with physical activities such as swimming, walking, or playing beach games. Given the links between regular physical activity and improved sleep quality, reduced sleep latency and enhanced sleep duration through the promotion of relaxation and reduced feelings of anxiety and depression, this is another massive pro on the list of benefits. What’s more, the exposure to natural sunlight during outdoor activities at the beach can help to regulate our melatonin production too.
The sights, the sounds, and the sensations of a day at the beach can all combine to help reduce our levels of stress and anxiety. Sleep and anxiety are common culprits of sleep disturbances and can also impact our ability to fall asleep fast too. But the rhythmic sound of those waves can have a distinct calming effect on our nervous system. And the visual beauty of the sea or ocean can help to promote feelings of awe and serenity. Simply taking a moment to sit and watch the sunset over the water can prove itself a powerful antidote to daily stressors and those worries that often prevent us from being able to drift off.
Sleep and Sea Air: Our conclusion
Spending a day at the beach is about so much more than just having some fun in the sun. A day at the seaside can also have some serious benefits on your sleep health all-round. From the therapeutic effects of sea air and its negative ions to the relaxation-inducing qualities of the motion of the ocean waves and of course the natural exposure to sunlight, the beach could be the perfect environment to help you unwind and promote relaxation in both body and mind.
So next time you're in need of a good night's sleep, consider heading to the seaside for some Beach-based therapy. Your body and mind will definitely thank you for it!
Should you be in need of a new bed or mattress, our experts are always on hand to help. Pop into your local Bensons for Beds store to try out our SleepPro technology and be matched with your ideal mattress, or give out customer care team a call. We’re ready and eager to help you make the right decision to secure a better sleep on a more long-term basis!
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Gemma Henry - Content Lead
Gemma finds sleep fascinating and describes the discovery aspect of her role as eye-opening. Her keen eye for detail and dedication to thorough research ensures that Bensons customers get the informative sleep-based advice they're looking for.