The beach and our brain – the best mental health medicine might include waves
Bottom Line: Recently I shared research of out England demonstrating the health benefits of living within two miles of the coast. The key takeaways from the study showed that those who are close to the beach are generally inclined to seek it out and are more active generally. Now scientists from the University of Exeter have expanded upon those findings with additional research as part of what they’re calling “BlueHealth” and found the following.
- The coastal benefit extends to those who live 3.1 miles from the beach (with the greatest benefit derived by those who live within .6 miles)
- People who visit the beach at least twice per week have better general and mental health
- The benefits of what’s being coined “blue space” might be more effective than many prescribed drugs for depression and anxiety
Here’s what it’s shaping up to look like. The closer to the coast we live, the more likely we are to visit the beach. No surprise there. The more likely we are to visit the beach the more likely we are to be active gaining the physical benefit of walking to, from and on the beach. And then there’s the beach itself. This “blue space” effect. While studying the blue space effect, the researchers found that the benefit was similar around all water. So, lakes, rivers and in some cases even canals help us achieve similar benefits.
Finding water and spending time around it might well prove to be the best mental health medicine available for most people. That’s another reason to love South Florida. Not many of us live father than 3 miles from water. Spend more time around it (save the gators) a live a better, happier life. Doctor’s orders.