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What are the benefits to holidaying in Cornwall?

Book your holidays in Cornwall and enjoy the many benefits to your physical and mental well-being. The beautiful natural surroundings combined with staying in a top-quality property will be sure to help both body and soul. In this blog we’re going to take a dive into everything you can expect from a stay with us in Cornwall, from the benefits of braving the cold sea, to how taking some time to relax in the comfort of your chosen holiday cottage will leave you feeling revived and ready to go back to work!

Sea Swimming

There are endless benefits to safely 'taking the plunge' and getting stuck into sea swimming, especially when in Cornwall!

It may be a bit chilly, but oh boy it’s worth it! Whilst staying in your  holiday cottage by the beach, get into your swimming gear and reap the rewards of soaking in the Cornish sea.

Improves circulation
When you take to the chilly Cornish sea, it’ll circulate your blood to your vital organs and back to extremities. So you’ll really get your heart working and blood pumping! By repeating this over a period of time, your body will better adapt to facing the cold.

Sea water is great for your skin!
It’s magic. Well not quite, it’s actually the potassium, magnesium and calcium, but it certainly feels like magic. The magnesium helps break apart fats and oils typically found on the surface of the skin, helping reduce oily skin plus magnesium is also an anti-inflammatory. Calcium helps regulate your skin cell turnover and potassium helps the growth of new cells. It doesn’t end there either, sea water is an excellent natural exfoliant too!

Exercise
Sea swimming, even for just a few minutes, is an excellent way to burn calories and get your body moving. Swimming in general is a low impact sport on your joints, so if you’re looking for some cardio that will limber you up, take to the sea! Also, as it is naturally going to make your body a little colder, especially in Cornwall, your body will be burning more calories to keep you warm. If you are not an experienced sea swimmer, only swim on lifeguarded beaches.

Helps with stress
Stay with us on this one! Holidays themselves are an escape from the stresses of everyday life, so why not take it one step further? Taking the plunge in the sea can help your body acclimatise to other stressful situations. Although taking a chilly dunk can be fun, your body will be reacting to certain stresses and the more you do it, the more it gets used to this and this will eventually get translated into other aspects of your life.

 

Sunshine

The right amount of sun can put a spring in everyone's step, especially when you’re in Cornwall.

Vitamin D
Sunlight is a really important source of Vitamin D, a vitamin that is absolutely key for vital biological processes. Some of these processes include supporting healthy bone growth by increasing your body’s calcium absorption, which is ideal for accomplishing all the hills in St Ives! Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce inflammation and help to support your immune system.

‘Feel Good’ Hormones
We always thought the sun put a smile on our face simply for the relief that it is no longer winter! But, there is a scientific reason behind why the sun can help to make you feel better. According to Medical News Today …”exposure to UVB rays causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain.’’ But it doesn’t stop there. Vitamin D brings a whole array of goodness and in numerous studies it has been proven to help lift people’s moods and help with depression.

Increases activity
When on holiday in Cornwall, you’ll notice quite a huge difference in people when the sun is out. Sunny days certainly help you get up and go, whether it’s a stroll to get a fresh Cornish Coffee, braving a dip in the sea or catching the sunrise from your favourite beach. The sun is guaranteed to get you moving.

 

Sea Air

Breathing in fresh sea air has huge benefits on our mental well being, but it doesn’t stop there, it has great physical benefits too!

It turns out that sea air is full of ‘negative ions’. Lifestyle journalist, Andréa Childs,  explains what these are and how they help us. In short, these are charged particles and very high numbers can be found in sea spray, which, research suggests, improves our ability to absorb oxygen. In her article, linked here, she explains that in some other studies it has been suggested that the negative ions may help us to feel more alert. Further to this, ‘They might help decrease irritation from particles that make you sneeze, cough or have a throat irritation.’

Now, if that doesn’t make you want to jump and run to your closest Cornish beach and take in a huge deep breath, we’re not sure what will!

Outdoor Activities

We all know that exercise, an increased heart rate and being active has a plethora of benefits for our mind and bodies, but in everyone’s busy day to day lives it may be hard to fit this in. Or if you do, it might not be as fun and enjoyable as it could be. In Cornwall there is a huge choice of exercises you can take part in, that are so much fun they feel almost effortless and they help body and mind at the same time.

Surfing
Surfing in Cornwall is a tale as old as time, so when you’re here you simply must try it.

Not only will you reap all the rewards of being in the sea that we discussed earlier, but it also comes with its own list benefits. Surfing is a great form of cardiovascular exercise, especially with all the paddling you’ll be doing, you’ll be keeping your heart healthy and strong! Also, the art of standing up on a surfboard is really quite something, honing your core strength, balance and coordination. As always, practice makes perfect and surfing is a great way to help improve both balance and coordination at the same time. Not only will you find yourself feeling fitter and stronger, surfing and being surrounded by the ocean will help you feel at peace too.

Horse Riding
We are surrounded by both beautiful beaches and countryside here in Cornwall and one of the best ways to explore the countryside isn’t on foot, but on horseback!

Whether you’re an experienced rider or a complete novice, horse riding is a physically and mentally stimulating way to explore your beautiful surroundings and get active whilst in Cornwall. When horse riding, you’ll be burning calories in and out of the saddle, your core strength will be improving with each step taken and it is a real confidence booster. Trusting something that is quite large, has four legs and can’t speak can be quite a big thing for many to overcome, but taking the plunge and trying horse-riding is guaranteed to boost your mood and heart rate.

Coasteering
Coasteering is an excellent outdoor activity for those who are looking to live life a little on the edge (not too much…but a little!).

Coasteering is an eco-adventure that takes you along the rugged Cornish coastlines to explore caves, rock pools and even brave jumping in the sea from some pretty impressive heights. It requires climbing, jumping, balancing and swimming so you’ll be very active throughout your coasteering experience. However, the benefits go far beyond the physical. Coasteering is great exercise for your brain too, not only will you be braving the elements, you’ll be doing a lot of quick thinking problem solving, getting from destination A to B safely.

For even more inspiration for things to do whilst on holiday in Cornwall, checkout our guide here!



Surf lessons

Coasteering

Nourishing Food

Cornwall is a hub for excellent quality food and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re cooking in one of our self-catering cottages or heading out to one of the many wonderful restaurants we have, you’re guaranteed to feel like your body has been wonderfully nourished.

Box & Barber – Newquay
Box and Barber is a coastal cafe that has committed itself to using sustainable, organic, local and seasonal ingredients to create their fantastic dishes. Their vibrant menu exudes health and feel good food. The Acai bowl alongside one of their super-smoothies always leave you feeling pretty virtuous!

The Cornish Vegan – Truro
The world of Veganism has well and truly come on a long way from what it once used to be. Not only can you now reap all the health benefits of eating a plant based meal, but the taste and variety is now on par! At the Cornish Vegan, you can enjoy a vast menu of homemade, local, seasonal and sustainable dishes. They’re all 100% vegan, healthy and delicious.

The Bean Inn – Carbis Bay
The Bean Inn is a long standing establishment in Carbis Bay that serves some of the most scrumptious vegetarian food focusing on using fresh local ingredients, delivering on health and flavour! An item on the menu that ticks all the boxes is their seasonal ‘Buddha Bowl’ that maximises all the in season vegetables, salads, herbs and much more.

The Allotment Deli – St Ives 
The Allotment Deli can be found in the heart of Fore Street and if you’re looking for nourishing food to put a spring in your step, here’s the place to go. They offer daily fresh salads, soups, as well as vegan and gluten free treats. Not only is the food sure to fill you up with nutrients, it is all locally sourced, supporting local food produce and farmers.

Archie Browns
Archie Browns is a key player in Cornwall when it comes to healthy food, vitamins, supplements and drinks. You can find two of their health food stores here in Cornwall, one in Truro and the other in Penzance. Their shelves are stacked high with all the nutritious goodies you need, be sure to check them out whilst enjoying your Cornish holiday!



The Bean Inn

The Allotment Deli

Relaxing in your luxury holiday cottage

Relaxing (and we mean really relaxing) is something people often feel they can’t take time out of their busy schedule for. But when you’re on holiday, it is the perfect time to make the most of the opportunity and reap the rewards of feeling well and truly relaxed.

When reading the North Shore’s article on the benefits, it is immediately evident how important it is, just take a look at some of the following:

– Lowers blood pressure
– Relaxes muscles
– Helps reduce anxiety, stress and insomnia
– Helps reduce physical pain

Your choice in Cornish holiday cottage will be subjective to your own wants and needs, but one thing we do know is,  it will be be your own little bit of bliss. Whether you’re sitting on your private balcony in our Barnaloft apartment , taking in the sounds of the waves over Porthmeor Beach or nestled into the depths of the Cornish countryside at our converted barn property in Zennor, you’ll be sure to find some peace. If you’re looking for a few of life’s little luxuries too, don’t hesitate to let us know and we will gladly point you in the right direction. Whether this is from having a dishwasher and coffee machine to perhaps going as far as having a private chef come and cook for you during your stay we can help find you the perfect property and all the little extras that will send you into full relaxation, allowing your mind and body to rest.

Breakfast in bed at 15 The Digey

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