Sometimes the answer is surprisingly close. For Véronique, it began with a simple piece of advice: go to the sea. What followed was not a temporary trip, but a life change. On the coast, she found something she had been missing for years: breathing space. Literally and figuratively.
The sea does something to you. The openness, the rhythm of the waves and the fresh air naturally help you slow down. You start to feel more space — in your mind and in your body.
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Véronique Mathijssen studied veterinary medicine in Utrecht. During her studies, she developed allergies and asthma. After noticing that she felt better on the Dutch coast, she moved to Noordwijk with her partner in 2021.
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Here, she shares her personal experience of living and spending time outdoors by the sea.
Véronique’s experience
Véronique’s experience shows how powerful the coast can feel. In the city, she struggled with severe allergies and asthma. By the sea, she soon noticed a difference. In Noordwijk, her symptoms became less severe and, step by step, she regained her freedom.
It is a story that touches on something bigger: the beneficial effect of the sea is not only something you feel, but something many people also notice in their daily lives.
Allergies
For Véronique, allergies meant years of limitations. Pollen and other triggers made spending time outdoors increasingly difficult. At one point, she preferred to stay inside to avoid symptoms.
That vicious circle — too little time to recover, followed by new reactions — caused her health to decline. It shows how much allergies can affect everyday life.
Sea air
By the sea, Véronique noticed that her symptoms decreased. This effect can differ from person to person and from day to day. Factors such as wind direction, pollen, air quality, temperature and humidity can all influence asthma and allergies.
For Véronique, the difference was clearly noticeable. She had fewer symptoms, more energy and gradually dared to go outside more often. The space of the beach and dunes also helped her become more active and enjoy outdoor life again.
‘In Noordwijk, I can do what I want again. I love being outside on the beach.’
Calming the immune system
In Utrecht, Véronique often stayed indoors to avoid triggers. In Noordwijk, she gradually regained the confidence to go outside. According to Véronique, her asthma attacks decreased significantly after the move. Her skin complaints also disappeared over time.
‘My doctors were surprised by how well I recovered. In Noordwijk, I got my freedom back. I could go outside again, do things and walk into shops without constantly being afraid of a severe reaction.’
Making fresh-air walks a habit
What starts as a solution soon becomes a ritual. Stepping outside for a moment, walking along the beach, feeling the wind in your hair.
In Noordwijk, getting a breath of fresh air is not the exception, but part of everyday life. It is a moment to let go, recharge and return to yourself.
As Véronique says herself: getting a breath of fresh air should really become a habit for everyone.
