W ater makes up a majority of our planet's surface, and it also makes up most of our bodies. We've long been told we need to consume more of it for our own health. And every time summer rolls around, the first thing many of us do is head out to a river or lake. This isn't merely supposition; there's actual science involved. Look no further than a recent study funded by the European Union, which specifically explored the health benefits of water — consuming it, swimming in it, simply being near it. Over the course of five years, the so-called BlueHealth study aimed to determine how access to water affected mental health. Using census data from various European countries, the study found that people who live near coastlines or have easy access to bodies of water had decreased stress and increased relaxation, and that living near the sea actually encouraged more physical activity and positive social interactions.