There’s something very magical about being near the sea, and here in the UK we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by an amazing coastline – over 19,000 miles of it in fact, with over 1,400 accessible beaches. From Thurso beach on the north coast of Scotland, to Kynance Cove on the southern tip of Cornwall; wherever you are in the UK, you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea and we have some amazing campsites right by the sea.
One of the many joys of owning a caravan is having the freedom to head off to the coast to your very own holiday home or, if you have a touring caravan, with your holiday home in tow, packed with all your home comforts. There’s nothing nicer than waking up near the sea and sitting outside your caravan with a cup of tea, watching the sunrise, knowing that you can be on the beach within minutes.
Our friends at The Insurance Emporium have been providing specialist caravan insurance for years, so we spoke to them about some of the benefits of being by the sea. Here’s what they said.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
In Victorian times people used to be sent to the seaside to convalesce; the fresh, salty sea air was supposed to be a good cure for consumption, and there is some science behind this; warm. salty sea air helps soothe the respiratory tract. Whatever the weather, you’re always guaranteed a stunning view when you’re by the sea, which naturally makes you want to go for a walk. And if you’re by the sea there are more opportunities to be active, so you’re more likely to take part in activities such as swimming, hiking or paddle boarding.
SWEET DREAMS
A 2015 study by the National Trust found that people sleep better after a seaside walk; on average 47 minutes longer. This could just be that exercise helps you sleep better, or the sound of waves acts as a natural white noise machine, but some people think that sea air holds more oxygen, and natural oxygen ions are said to improve sleep. You might also be more exposed to vitamin D, which is good for maintaining healthy bones and supports the immune system. Regular exposure to sunlight – particularly in the morning – helps regulate your circadian rhythm, something that also helps improve sleep.
TRUE BLUE
The mental health benefits of being near the sea are well-documented; it even has a name ‘Blue Health’ because of the positive effect it has on our physical and mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that people who live near the sea, rate their mental health more positively than people who don’t. Just the natural colours of the sea are very calming, and the sound of the waves. And there’s something about standing and looking out to sea, with nothing ahead of you, that puts things into perspective.
BACK TO NATURE
A beach holiday is a great place to reconnect with each other, as well as ourselves. Whether you’re taking the dogs for a walk on the beach, having a beach barbecue or hitting the rock pools, you’re out in nature and away from the screens that often dominate our daily lives. It can also make us feel more connected to our natural surroundings and the environment. Caravan parks can be very sociable places, so chances are you’ll meet new people too and a holiday is the perfect time to indulge in our hobbies.
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE
One of the things we love about our caravan holidays is the freedom to take our dogs on holiday with us; like us they appreciate a change of scene and enjoy having new places to explore (and sniff!) And there’s no better sight than seeing a dog on a beach – a sandy ball in their mouth, ears flapping in the breeze as they chase seagulls, it’s a real joy. Our four-legged friends are part of the family and need to be there when we’re making new memories.
While part of the joy of being a caravanner is not knowing what’s around the corner, not every unexpected twist is welcome, so before you pack your bucket and spade you might want to consider caravan insurance, The Insurance Emporium have a wide range of policies with different cover levels that you can tweak with a choice of optional benefits – including ‘dog emergencies’ for your furry friends. Or, for full pet insurance, they have dog insurance, because they know you want to enjoy being a dog owner without the worry that comes with that – for example, your pet being ill while on holiday, or going missing. This way you can enjoy your time near the sea with the peace of mind of knowing that you could be covered if the worse were to happen.
Take a look at their website or give them a call, for a free, no-strings quote today.
Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no:202748.
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