Why water views are better for your mental health
Do you feel happier, healthier, and more at peace when watching a wild ocean or calm sea? A new study agrees that people who have a water view (‘blue space’) are mentally healthier than people who live with a view of the bush (‘green space’).
Published in ‘Health & Place’ journal, the recent research was the first to connect mental health with a view of blue as opposed to green.
Study author Dr Amber L Pearson explains: “Increased views of blue space is significantly associated with lower levels of psychological distress. However, we did not find that with green space.”
Based in Wellington, a city on New Zealand’s north island, the research team assessed a wide range of people with some enjoying ocean views from their residence, and others getting green views. Even after age, wealth, gender, and lifestyle factors were taken into account, the mental health of the ocean viewers was seen as ‘better’ than those who weren’t surrounded by blue space.
“It could be because the blue space was all natural, while the green space included human-made areas, such as sports fields and playgrounds, as well as natural areas such as native forests,” Dr Pearson said.
“Perhaps if we only looked at native forests we might find something different.”
And that means, of course, that we have to take the study with a pinch of sea salt. Dr Pearson admits that the comparison wasn’t exactly equal…perhaps it would have been best to compare people who had oceanic views with people who had entirely natural forest views without man-made structures in sight.
“Further research is needed to confirm whether increased visibility of blue space could promote mental well-being and reduce distress in other cities”, the study abstract said.
Still, who needs an excuse to take a trip to the beach every now and then?
