Why a walk by the coast means better night’s sleep
A WALK along the coast won’t just provide stunning views. It could also make you happier and help you sleep better.
A study found that Britons slept more than half an hour longer after going for an amble along the beach than they did after a ramble inland.
The sea air also helped them sleep more soundly, meaning they were more alert when they woke up.
If that wasn’t enough to persuade you to head for the seaside, coastal walks also seem to make us feel happy and healthy.
It is thought that exercising by the sea is particularly restorative because it conjures up happy memories of family holidays and the carefree days of childhood. The sound of the sea may be especially calming
‘Carefreee days of childhood’
and the broader landscapes may also allow the mind to wander more.
The findings come from two pieces of research commissioned by the National Trust.
In the first, 110 Britons were either asked to go on a coastal walk or on inland trek. They were quizzed before and after about how they felt. They were also asked how well they slept on the day of their walk and the night after it.
One of the coastal walkers, a 54year-old man, said the route he chose was a favourite holiday location.
Another participant said her walk had made her think of playing for hours by the sea as a child, without the need for any other entertainment.
The coastal walkers also seemed to find it easier to get lost in the experience, appreciating the landscape as a whole, rather than noting individual details. Researcher Ellie Ratcliffe, an environmental psychologist, said: ‘Inland walkers were less likely to want to focus on internal thoughts and indeed commented on social aspects of the walk, such as company and conversation much more than coastal walkers.’
The second piece of research, a survey of 2,000 Britons, revealed that a stroll by sea makes us feel happier, healthier, calmer, as well as providing a sense of escapism.
The National Trust, which looks after 775 miles of Britain’s coastline, has compiled a list of the ten best coastal walks.
Its top recommendation is the Old Harry Rocks walk, a circular route in Dorset that provides breathtaking views of the Jurassic Coast.
Other picks include seal spotting at Blakeney Point nature reserve in Norfolk and the cliff top views of the Giant’s Causeway from the Runkerry Trail in Northern Ireland.
TV presenter Julia Bradbury, who is supporting the Trust’s annual Great British Walk campaign, said: ‘I can tell you first hand that a coastal walk helps you sleep like a baby.’