At The Beach Studio, you can probably imagine that we are a bit partial to being by the sea. We are lucky to offer therapies and classes from this wonderful venue which has huge windows overlooking the water. In the summer we can open the windows and listen to the waves. I think we’re all a bit convinced that it makes the classes and treatment seven more relaxing and healing.
Adding a little walk along the seafront before or after your treatment or class is just the icing on the cake when you need to turn the relaxation up.
As many of the practitioners, teachers and staff at The Beach Studio will agree (and no doubt plenty of you!), any time spent by the sea is a pleasure. So, I’m sure that you won’t be surprised that there are acknowledged benefits to being by the sea.
This may be no surprise to many of you but sea air can actually help you sleep better. A study done by Environmental psychologist, Eleanor Ratcliffe for the National Trust found that after a good walk by the sea, people slept approximately 35 minutes longer, than those who went for a similar walk inland.
Walking by the sea appears to really improve the mood, help with relaxation and, as mentioned, increase sleep.
It would seem that the sea also provided the opportunity for more contemplation because there is less to see (aside from the large blue expanse).
We are big proponents of exercise, regardless of the location. It's worth noting that those who walked by the sea or inland, all felt calmer, happier, more energised and slept better after their walk.
Small, gentle ripples or large, crashing waves can both have quite a soothing effect on the ears, but why? Apparently it’s to do with the fact that it’s a consistent, low decibel sound. There are no sudden, high pitches and even the larger waves tend to build up gently, so the mind doesn’t understand the sound as a threat.Sudden, high pitch sounds cause a stress response in the body. This is because they are perceived as a threat. Whereas the sound of the sea is quite the opposite and is pleasurable to listen to.
And what if you can’t get to the sea as regularly as you’d like, to listen to these gentle tones? Well even YouTube and Alexa will allow you to have a wonderful background of sea sounds to fill the void.
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel after spending a day beside the sea? Research carried out for Health and Place found that those who lived less than 1km from the coast had better mental health than those who lived over 50km from the sea.
When considering the beautiful sounds of the waves and the thought provoking vistas, it’s not surprising that the sea improves mental health. Even day trips to the sea seem to let the mind slow down and relax. I think many of us have taken trips to the beach with book in bag, thinking we’ll get on top of that new best seller. But instead, we lay under the canopy, listening to the water, until it’s time for a picnic lunch, which is far more tempting.
A study carried out in Belgium found that those who lived within 5km of the sea were found to have better general health than those living 50-100km away from the coast.
Reasons were examined, like air pollution or people being more active or social nearer the water but no correlation was found. It would seem that being by the sea simply is beneficial for general health.
That being said, we may be a little bit biased but doing an exercise class at TheBeach Studio, whilst seeing and listening to the waves is probably the nicest and healthiest ways to get fit and improve your wellbeing whilst doing so!
We all know that spending too much time in the sun is a bad thing(staying sun safe is very important!). That being said, 10minutes in the sun on the beach could give you your full day’s recommended allowance of Vitamin D. Vitamin D aside, salt water is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects (thanks to the lovely minerals within it).
Spending a day in the sea water, can have healing effects on skin issues like dermatitis.
If you don’t fancy a dip in our Channel, then bathing in Epsom salts can provide a potentially cleaner and similarly beneficial effect.
Even walking on the sand (at low tide if you live near a pebble-filled beach like ours!) can provide a natural pumice for the feet.Leaving your feet satisfyingly soft after a little stroll along the beach.
We all know, deep down, that being by the sea is such a wonderful experience for mind, body and soul. We are very lucky to have easy access to it in our lovely, little town. Luckier still that our wonderful studio is right beside such a healing natural wonder.
We would love for you to come and join us in one of our classes(starting again in September 2020). Or come and experience one of our treatments, like osteopathy, acupuncture, corrective massage, reflexology, EFT, naturopathic nutrition and bio-resonance testing.
Can you imagine how lovely it is to have a treatment whilst listening to the waves softly breaking in the background? Well you don’t have to imagine. Give us a call on 01323 732024 and book in an appointment.
Kindest wishes,
Tracy Fuller
The Beach Studio
Natural Fitness and Therapies – The Beach Studio is much more than just a fitness Centre to come and exercise at; it’s a welcoming space for local people who want to make new friendships and access expert advice on health and wellbeing. It’s is also an environment that...
read moreNatural Fitness & Therapies
The Redoubt
Royal Parade
Eastbourne
BN22 7AQ