Does sea air really make you sleep better?

You might have a great night's sleep on the coast, but it's probably not because of the air.


Asked by: Tim Rowland, St Albans

Take a coastal walk and the chances are that you will sleep better, according to a 2015 study by the UK’s National Trust. However, there is no evidence that sea air in itself will make you sleep better. At one time, people attributed their sleepiness to certain ions or ozone in sea air. In reality, we probably sleep better after a trip to the seaside because we have had a satisfying amount of exercise and have been lulled by the rhythmic sound of the waves. Those that live their daily lives by the seaside don’t tend to report improved sleep.

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