Nature immersion

Outdoor blue spaces, human health and well-being: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Gascon M, Zijlema W, Vert C, et al. · International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2017

Blue spaces are outdoor water environments such as lakes, rivers and the sea. This systematic review gathered 35 quantitative studies on how exposure to blue space, whether near home or while visiting, relates to human health and well-being; most studies were rated as good quality. The balance of evidence suggested a positive link between more blue space exposure and better mental health and well-being (12 studies) and higher levels of physical activity (13 studies). Evidence for links with general health, obesity and heart health was less consistent. The authors call the findings encouraging but point to clear limitations: relatively few studies, wide variation in how exposure and outcomes were measured, and mostly observational designs that cannot establish cause and effect.

Our summaries describe what each study found. They are not medical advice, and the practices at Halcyon are not a treatment for any condition.