Could living near water be the secret to happiness?

We have had such a run of wet days, you may well be sick of the sight of water here in West Devon. However the restorative benefits of nature have been widely spoken about, and now even local GPs in High Peak, Derbyshire have the option to prescribe spending time in the outdoors to support patient well-being, with hopes of expanding this initiative across the country. This is nothing new: the Victorians used to take the sea air as a treatment for melancholy, and for centuries, the French spent time in natural springs to treat ailments. Spending time near green spaces is commonly known to be beneficial for your mental health; now, new studies highlight that living near water could be the secret to happiness.

Blue spaces

From the sound of rain whilst you’re snug and warm, watching a stream dancing down the countryside, waves gently lapping at the shore, to a water fountain creating a relaxing environment in your garden. You don’t have to be physically close to the ocean to gain the benefits of blue spaces – urban water, such as rivers, canals, fountains and pools, counts as well, and even just listening to or watching videos of water can have the same effect.

Scientific Reports published a study in 2021 which had surveyed people in 18 countries. They explored the association of natural settings with mental health. They found that people who lived in ‘greener/coastal neighbourhoods reported higher positive well-being,’ and particularly those that frequently visited blue spaces expressed lower mental distress and, overall, a better well-being. Nature is in no way a substitute for medication or therapy, but it can surprisingly help us to feel calmer.

In his book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make Us Healthier, Happier, More Connected and Better at What You Do, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols states that when we are near water: “Your creativity is going up, your stress hormones are going down, your ideas are expanding, your sense of yourself, you can hear yourself breathe, you’re connecting with the water.” He calls this ‘Blue Mind’.

The benefits

There are several ways that being in or close to water can benefit your mental well-being. Being around water creates a sense of awe, expanding our minds a little and giving us a sense of something greater than ourselves. If you have ever sat and watched the waves, you may have experienced a soothing of your senses. It isn’t just the sight of the waves, but the sound of them crashing, the salt and even the sand under your feet. You don’t need to be at the ocean to have a sensory experience near water, and as such, a calmer state of mind.

Because of its motion, water has the ability to grab our attention; it is dynamic in many ways, especially in how it encourages us to rest, should we be floating within it. It is this strength that helps facilitate mindfulness and reflection, watching water can help to clear our minds and soothe our souls.

Medical reasons

You might be shocked to receive a prescription from your GP to go and spend some time in nature, but following a successful pilot project in Scotland, that is about to happen. During the original trial, it was found that 74% of those prescribed benefitted from a nature prescription. It also helped to change habits, with 87% saying that they would try to spend time in nature to help to support their health and well-being.

The RSPB, in collaboration with the Peak District National Park Authority, will be coordinating the first green prescription program in High Peak, Derbyshire with the hope that it can then be rolled out across the country.

Home effect

When buyers are viewing a property they are considering as a future home for their family, they are no doubt filled with nervous excitement, and it is important to try to create a calm and relaxing environment which will allow them to relax and therefore see the full potential of the property. As the weather starts to get warmer (and hopefully drier!) and you start preparing your garden or outside space for spring, perhaps consider whether a water feature would enhance the space. This could not only be transformative to your health but could also, potentially, make future buyers feel at home.

For advice on buying or selling a property in Tavistock or Okehampton contact our team at Miller Town & Country.