Home by the sea
Waking up each day to the sounds of the sea is becoming increasingly popular around Canterbury, as more high spec beachside homes and projects are developed.
Christchurch has several coastal suburbs, including Brooklands, Spencerville, part of Styx, Queenspark, Parklands, Waimairi Beach, North New Brighton,
New Brighton, South New Brighton, and Southshore.
Sumner and the New Brighton suburbs have all seen renewed development during the last four years, with numerous multi-million-dollar projects ranging from blocks of town houses to resort-style housing complexes under way or completed.
An example is the Anchorage project, being built in five stages across exclusive north-facing beach frontage along Sumner’s Esplanade. The development features 10 single-level residences with private lift access to all buildings, starting at $1.5 million.
The benefits of coastal living are well documented, and ongoing research is increasingly highlighting the ocean as a therapeutic environment, good for body and mind.
Scientific research shows:
- Listening to the sounds of the sea relaxes the brain, slows heart rates, lowers blood pressure, and relaxes the body.
- You’re more likely to exercise if you’re by the coast. Surfing, sailing, paddleboarding, swimming, and walking are all activities associated with a seaside gym.
- Wave-watching can reduce stress levels. Referred to as ‘fingerprints of nature’, fractals are intricate patterns that repeat themselves infinitely across different scales, creating shapes of rich visual complexity. Common fractals found in nature include ocean waves.
- Breathing sea air helps you sleep. Sea air is generally cleaner and fresher, with higher levels of oxygen, which can improve sleep.
- The beach encourages social bonds, through seaside barbecues, and similar activities.
- Saltwater is nature’s skincare, rich in nourishing minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
- Blue colours bring calm and spark creativity. A 2009 American study found that blue brings a measurable chromatic creativity boost. Various hues of blue have also been linked with feelings of calm and serenity.
