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People who live by the sea less likely to experience anxiety and depression, study suggests
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2020/08/24 21:48
Today's Vocabulary
1.anxiety (n)
an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future
2. highlight (v)
to attract attention to or emphasize something important
3. proximity (n)
the state of being near in space or time
4. depression (n)
the state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future
5. analysed (v)
to study or examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it
6. symptoms (n)
any feeling or illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease
7. access (n)
the method or possibility of getting near to a place or person
People who live by the sea less likely to experience anxiety and depression, study suggests
Living next to the sea is good for your mental health, a new study has found.
Researchers from Exeter University found that those living around half a mile from the coast are less likely to experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
The team say the results suggest the coast may act as a “protective zone” for psychological wellbeing and also highlight the importance of so-called “Blue Health” – the link between health and the natural environment.
For the study, researchers analysed data on more than 26,000 Brits taken from the Health Survey for England.
The physical and mental wellbeing of the participants was then compared to their proximity to the coast.
After adjusting for external factors, the scientists found people who live less than a kilometre from the coast are around 22 per cent less likely to have symptoms of a mental health disorder, compared to those who live 50km or more away.
For those from low income households who live less than a kilometre from the coast, the impact is even greater with people around 40 per cent less likely to have symptoms, than those earning the same amount living more than 50km away.
Published in the journal Health and Place, the findings suggest access to the coast could help to reduce these health inequalities in towns and cities.
Dr Jo Garrett, lead author of the study, said: “Our research suggests, for the first time, that people in poorer households living close to the coast experience fewer symptoms of mental health disorders.
”When it comes to mental health, this ‘protective’ zone could play a useful role in helping to level the playing field between those on high and low income.“
Resource: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/mental-health-seaside-town-coast-study-depression-anxiety-income-a9127666.html
Discussion
- Which university carried out this research?
- How many people did researchers look at data on?
- What did people who lived over 50km from the coast have more of?
“I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.”
