You will sleep better if you live by the sea - or failing that, a park or woodland 

  • Researchers claim we snooze better when we have access to nature
  • Can be a beach, a park, a lake, woodland or even just simply a nice view 
  • Advice comes as the NHS launches a drive to improve the nation’s sleep 

By FIONA MACRAE SCIENCE EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Published: | Updated:

A paddle in the sea or a walk in a park could help you sleep like a baby.

Researchers claim we snooze better when we have access to nature, whether it is a beach, a park, a lake, woodland or even a nice view.

The simple advice comes as the NHS launches a drive to improve the nation’s sleep.

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Public Health England says there is growing evidence that lack of sleep is fuelling health problems including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It also takes its toll on mental health

Public Health England says there is growing evidence that lack of sleep is fuelling health problems including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It also takes its toll on mental health

Public Health England says there is growing evidence that lack of sleep is fuelling health problems including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It also takes its toll on mental health and may even increase the chances of divorce.

To find out if the great outdoors can help people to sleep better, researchers analysed data on more than 250,000 Americans. 

The information included their sleep patterns as well as the natural amenities near their homes.

Those who slept the worst lived in the most built-up areas, the journal Preventive Medicine reported.

Professor Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, a researcher at the University of Illinois, said: ‘Across the entire sample, individuals reporting 21 to 29 days of insufficient sleep consistently had lower access to green space and natural amenities compared to those reporting less than one week.’

However, the link was strongest for men – possibly because safety concerns meant that women took less advantage of the great outdoors. 

The study also showed that pensioners with access to nature slept particularly well.

Professor Grigsby-Toussaint said: ‘It’s hard to overestimate the importance of high-quality sleep. If there is a way for persons over 65 to spend time in nature, it would improve the quality of their sleep – and their quality of life – if they did so.

‘Our results provide an incentive for nursing homes and communities with many retired residents to design buildings with more lighting, create nature trails and dedicated garden spaces, and provide safe outdoor areas that encourage outdoor activity for men and women.’

The benefits of being close to nature do not end there. Previous research found that people living in a tree-lined street felt younger.

The perception was justified because they had fewer heart problems and weight problems than those who lived in a more urban environment.

It is also suggested that planting trees cuts crime.

Separate research in Chicago found that even in the roughest inner-city estates, those living near gardens, parks and green spaces tended to be better behaved.

One reason given was that people exercising near their homes created unofficial neighbourhood watch schemes.

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