If you live by or near the ocean and take in views of the water on a regular basis, you’re likely in better mental health than those who are landlocked.

“Many people remember water scenes, such as relaxing summer vacations, that put them at ease and helped them feel a sense of peace.”

A new study from Michigan State University claims to have found a link between good mental health and a view of the water. If you live in what’s called blue space and have views of the water, you likely have lower levels of psychological distress, the researchers found. They didn’t find the same with green space, by the way, which includes forests and grassy parks.

Using topography data, the researchers examined the visibility of blue and green spaces from residential locations in Wellington, New Zealand. The city is surrounded by the Tasman Sea on the north and the Pacific Ocean on the south. Then they looked at data from a country health study, and took into account factors such as age, wealth, gender, and other neighborhood data.

They found that having an ocean view was associated with improved mental health. The study was published in Health & Place.

Karyn Gunnet-Shoval, a psychologist and stress coach in New York City, said individuals can feel relaxed based on what gives them a calming experience — and it doesn’t require living on a beach.

When engaging in meditative practices or guided visualizations with clients, for example, she has noticed better compliance, a greater willingness to try something new, and enhanced outcomes for those asked to imagine or talk about a place or experience that they’ve found most relaxing to them in their lives.

“Many people remember water scenes, such as relaxing summer vacations, that put them at ease and helped them feel a sense of peace. These experiences condition us to feel the same emotions when a similar scene triggers these memories,” she said. “It could be that water is truly a relaxing experience.”

It’s also possible that memories of water create a feeling of reduced stress or at least play a mediating or moderating role in that experience, she said.

[lz_third_party includes=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln96IDWdrEQ”]

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Can’t live by the sea? Make sure to take in the views if you happen to be near it on your next vacation. Or, if all else fails — you can always hit up YouTube to stream that ocean view.