Colby from The Washington Post shares why there is research backing the notion that living near the water (aka at the beach) can improve mental health.
You are not alone if your dreams of retirement include views of the water, your favorite beach chair and weekly trips to the sand and surf. That feeling of relaxation, fun and overall happiness that coastal life can bring is now backed by research as a contributing factor to improved mental health. Research from Michigan State University shows that people who lived near the water reported less psychological distress than the people that lived without water views. In this and other studies, it was found that while nature of the green variety (think forest or park) can be more desirable than urban areas, it is living by the water that has the greatest positive mental health effects.
While there is still more research that could be done, like does the type of water change the effects, researchers argue that such findings could help identify some tangible ways to help treat mental illness.
Here at the Delaware beaches, we are big believers in the positive effects of living in a coastal community. Whether you are oceanfront, bay front, or a few miles inland, we think the lifestyle on the coast is hard to match. If you would like to learn more about the coastal Delaware beach life and what homes are currently for sale, give us a call at 302-541-5207 or e-mail us at leslie@lesliekopp.com, we would love to help in your search!
Itkowitz, Colby. “It’s time to move to the beach. It’s for your mental health, research says.” The Washington Post, 10 May 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/05/10/its-time-to-move-to-the-beach-its-for-your-mental-health-research-says/?utm_term=.eed4fcfcf068
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