Out Of The Blue

Researchers Are Discovering The Health Benefits Of Spending Time Near ‘Blue Space’, Discovers Sarah Marinos

- Sarah Marinos

Homes overlooking Sydney Harbour or the beaches of Melbourne command some of the highest real estate prices in Australia. Across the Tasman, property prices in New Zealand are at a premium in Auckland and Wellington, where people can enjoy sweeping views of the picturesque waterfront.

Around most of Australia’s and New Zealand’s coasts, waterfront properties and those within a short walk of the ocean often demand higher prices than those in the suburbs or inner city. But those homes may be worth much more than serious money. Their closeness to the water and their sea views may be priceless in terms of boosting our physical and mental health. And it’s all due to the ‘blue space’ effect.

The health benefits of spending time in ‘green space’, like forests and parks, have been well documented. In fact, the beneficial effects are so well recognised that New Zealand became one of the first countries in the world to start giving patients ‘green prescriptions’.

The scripts, issued by health professionals, encourage people to get more physically active and help them develop a healthy eating and exercise plan. Often that script recommends getting outdoors and into nature.

But it seems that being in or around blue space in particular can also work wonders for our mind and body. A growing number of studies are analysing the benefits of blue space, and evidence so far suggests that the more time we can spend near oceans, rivers or lakes, the more positive impacts we feel.