Spending time in “blue spaces” such as beaches, rivers, and lakes as a child can have significant and lasting benefits for wellbeing throughout life, according to a new study.
When exposed to blue spaces in childhood, people are more likely to revisit bodies of water in adulthood and appreciate the time spent in natural settings.
According to research, adults with better mental health are more likely to report having spent time playing in and around coastal and inland waters, such as rivers and lakes (together referred to as blue spaces), as children.
A new study from University of Exeter has found that people who have positive experiences with blue spaces, like lakes, rivers or ponds, in childhood tend to have a better sense of well-being as adults.