The UK’s seas make us feel anything but blue

Time spent by the coast brings health and happiness, research finds

• Three quarters (75%) of those surveyed feel better knowing the coast and sea is thriving
• 69% of people who visited the coast in the last year feel the benefit even when far from it
• 77% of people who visited the sea in the last year felt happier

Research from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) in early 2019 explored our enduring connections to the UK’s blue spaces and looked to uncover why it is we look to the sea for solace. The findings of the research are even more relevant in the current climate, where lockdown has provided many of us with an increased appreciation of the natural world.

The charity’s research found that 77% of people who had visited the sea in the past year felt happier and 81% felt healthier when they were by the coast and sea. Freedom, escape, inspiration and spirituality were just some of the feelings people cited experiencing when spending time by the coast and sea, so it’s no wonder that we’re yearning for the coast during lockdown when our happiness and sense of wellbeing is tied to freedom and escape!

The benefits of being by the coast are not just reserved for being beside the seaside. MCS research found that 69% of people who had visited the coast and sea in the last 12 months said they felt the benefit of that time even when far from it. As such, MCS has been bringing the #OceanIndoors throughout lockdown to bring the wellbeing benefits of the coast to people across the UK, no matter how near or far from the sea they may be.

Cheeringly, three quarters (75%) of those surveyed said they feel better just knowing that the coast and sea and all life living within and beside it is thriving, showing the intrinsic link between the health of the environment and our own sense of happiness and calm. MCS is encouraging people to make ocean-friendly choices and get involved with small acts of kindness to our coast, not only for your own personal feel good factor, but for the future health of our seas too.

Sue Ranger, MCS Engagement & Education Manager said: “Our own mental and physical wellbeing is so closely tied to the natural world; our research shows just how much of an effect the natural world can have on our sense of health, happiness and calm. Clearing your local area of litter, cutting back on single-use plastics, and getting involved in some armchair activism are all fantastic ways to safeguard the ocean and feel good yourself.”

To find out more about the Marine Conservation Society’s #OceanIndoors project, please visit the charity’s website here.