Mersea Island, considered one of the best-kept secrets in Essex, is a coastal idyll offering an excellent quality of life. In 2023, the Sunday Times chose it as one of the best places to live, and with its vibrant community, rich history and majestic scenery, it’s clear to see why. Furthermore, residing by water is correlated with numerous health benefits, which you can experience as a West Mersea citizen.
Coastal Living at Sanderling Reach
Sanderling Reach is a beautiful community of elegantly designed houses, offering coastal living in an idyllic setting less than 500m from West Mersea Beach and the lesser-known stretch of Monkey Beach. The development features 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6-bedroom homes designed around landscaped grounds and surrounded by natural splendour. The Essex coast and rolling countryside are within easy reach, making these homes perfectly placed for enjoying island life and all the rich experiences and health benefits that living by the sea offers.
Vitamin Sea: A Historic Remedy and Modern Treatment
The link between coastal living and good health has been hypothesised for a long time, dating to the Victorian era, when spending time at the seaside was often prescribed to treat various ailments. Whilst healthcare has moved on leaps and bounds since then, the Victorians could have been onto something. NHS England undertook a study between 2021 and 2023 to assess whether Green Social Prescribing – encouraging patients to engage in nature-based interventions such as open-water swimming – was a viable option to help improve physical and mental health. The result was positive, and Green Social Prescribing continues to be offered in all seven sites that took part in the study.
The Science-Backed Health Benefits of Living by the Sea
We all know that natural environments are good for us, but what are the actual effects on our physical and mental health? Below, we’re delving into what living by the sea does to the body and mind and how it positively impacts our overall wellbeing.
Better Sleep
Have you ever found that a day or two by the sea has helped your sleep cycle? There’s a reason for that. Experts believe there’s a viable link between better sleep and fresh sea air due to its higher oxygen levels. Furthermore, the negative ions in sea air improve the body’s ability to absorb oxygen and naturally increase serotonin, the mood-stabilising, ‘feel-good’ hormone.
There’s also a sensory aspect linked to better sleep. For some, ambient noise, such as ocean waves, can help them drift off. But how does it work? The rhythmical repetition of waves lapping on the shore elicits a calming effect due to how the brain psychologically processes the sound; it’s quiet, non-threatening and naturally soothing, which can help some people fall asleep.
Enhanced Fitness Levels
A 2020 report by BlueHealth, the leading organisation researching the impact of ‘blue space’ on wellbeing, found that UK adults living within 5km of the English coast were more likely than those who live further inland to reach the recommended exercise guidelines by getting active outside.
Living near the coast and countryside provides easy and convenient access to outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and open-water swimming. Not to mention the availability of water sports, as activity centres provide equipment for hire and classes for all ages and abilities.
Improved Mood
In the 2021 report ‘How connecting with nature benefits our mental health’, the Mental Health Foundation found that 70% of adults agreed that being close to nature improves their mood. Spending time outdoors increases exposure to vitamin D, which the human body needs for bone and muscle health, and may help to regulate mood, according to research. There’s also the mood-boosting endorphins associated with regular physical activity, which, as stated above, seaside residents are more likely to engage in than those who live further inland. All in all, there are several factors associated with coastal living that can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
Boosting the Immune System
While it has long been conjectured that coastal living is good for the immune system, there is now scientific evidence to back it up. In 2024, Belgian researchers from the Flemish Institute for the Sea (VLIZ), UGent and UAntwerp found that regular exposure to marine bacteria and bioactive compounds in sea air combats inflammation and protects the human body. In short, it boosts the immune system, providing natural defences against diseases and toxins.
So, there you have it – living by the sea really is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Experience all these advantages at Sanderling Reach, a new community in West Mersea, with homes available to move in now.