Why we all like to live healthily by the seaside

A study by the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter’s Peninsula College of Medicine found people are more likely to have good health the closer they live to the sea.

The analysis, taken from data compiled for the 2001 Census, also showed that the link between living near the coast and good health was strongest in the most deprived communities.

Study lead author Dr Ben Wheeler said: “We know that people usually have a good time when they go to the beach, but there is strikingly little evidence of how spending time at the coast can affect health and well-being.

“By analysing data for the whole population, our research suggests that there is a positive effect, although this type of study cannot prove cause and effect.”

Previous research from the Devon-based academics had shown that the coastal environment also provided significant benefits in terms of stress reduction.

Researchers said one reason those living in coastal communities may attain better physical health could be due to the stress relief offered by spending time near the sea.