It’s often said that spending time at the seaside, or even actually living there, is good for your health. The beneficial properties are attributed to the salty sea air and seawater, the type of natural environment, but also to the sun, and well — the combination of all that.
In fact, there’s quite some research done over the years with regard to this topic, and generally the conclusion of those were that being regularly near the sea leads to better health, increased wellbeing, and more happiness.
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Health benefits are ascribed to the fact that we often become more physically active, have a better Vitamin D intake because of the sun, and simply because the nearness to water, the rhythm of the crashing waves, and the wideness of the sea’s panorama and open horizon making us feel better on a psychological level.
Moreover, the (usually) fresh sea air leads to better oxygen intake, an improved respiratory function, better intake of magnesium, and it can, for instance, reduce symptoms of asthma and bronchitis. Usually, people also claim that they sleep better after having been at the beach, which is thought to be connected with reduced stress and anxiety levels.
Saltwater then has many benefits for our skin, and as such it can be really helpful to swim in the sea. Depending on the specific sea or ocean, seawater contains many minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, iodine, sodium chloride, and potassium, which are anti-inflammatory, and help to heal, cleanse, and protect the skin.
For instance, people who suffer from eczema, ulcers, lupus, acne, or psoriasis can benefit from the healing properties of seawater. Moreover, seawater also strengthens our immune system by boosting the number of red and white blood cells in our body, and it can alleviate pains and symptoms connected to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Nevertheless, as we often go to the sea when it’s sunny and hot, we need to be careful with too much sun on our skin and head. Wearing a cap, hat, and or T-shirt, and regularly re-applying an appropriate sunscreen solution is of course still advised.
