Spending time near water during childhood, such as the ocean or lakes, is linked to better mental health as an adult. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, researchers surveyed 15,000 people in 18 countries about their experiences of “blue spaces,” such as near the ocean, up until age 16. They found a clear link between more time spent in these blue spaces and improved mental health in adulthood. They found that adults who spent time around oceans and lakes as a child tended to enjoy nature later in life and seek out more activities around water as adults, which could improve their mental health.
Podcast (better-than-ever-daily): Play in new window | Download
