Health Benefits of Blue Spaces During a Pandemic

[This article has been originally published in Catalan in 'Espai Salut' newsletter of Diputació de Barcelona]

“Stay home” is the mantra we have heard over and over. Especially during the state of emergency, we were told this was the best way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Even now, we cannot let our guard down, since the risk of infection is still significant and will remain so for some time. Consequently, we have had a most peculiar summer, either at home or visiting nearby places, surrounded by fewer people than usual and taking various precautions while traversing more crowded spaces.

While stuck at home, many of us yearned for the great outdoors. Now that we can once again enjoy natural spaces, we don’t want to give them up. Beaches, lakes and rivers are places that bring us great comfort. Open spaces characterised by water are not just places we long for during the hottest months of the year: multiple scientific studies have actually linked these blue spaces to better health and well-being.

While stuck at home, many of us yearned for the great outdoors. Now that we can once again enjoy natural spaces, we don’t want to give them up

Although research on this subject has been limited, the available scientific evidence suggests that exposure to blue spaces—living near them, visiting them or simply enjoying the view—is beneficial to our well-being and mental health. Whatever indicators are used to quantify exposure, blue spaces are associated with lower risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, as well as greater relaxation in adults and better behavioural development in children.

A recent study led by ISGlobal researchers assessed the health effects of blue spaces. Over the course of one week, 59 study participants spent 20 minutes each day walking in a blue space—specifically, along a beach in Barcelona. In a different week, they spent 20 minutes each day walking in an urban environment. During yet another week, they spent the same amount of time resting indoors. The findings showed that regular short walks on the beach had a positive effect on people’s mood, vitality and mental health.

Short walks on the beach had a positive effect on people’s mood, vitality and mental health

Benefits associated with mental health and well-being are the effects most consistently described by studies of the health impacts of blue spaces. However, some studies have found links between exposure to blue spaces and overall improvements in self-perceived health, cardiovascular health benefits, and reduced risk of overweight and obesity.

Blue spaces have historically and instinctively been associated with well-being and considered therapeutic spaces with healing properties. However, the scientific community has only recently started to take a greater interest in assessing the health effects of these spaces. Our current knowledge therefore has many gaps and further research is needed. Moreover, no consensus has yet emerged regarding the best methodology for studying the effects of exposure to blue spaces, and few studies have examined the mechanisms that could explain the association between these spaces and health. These mechanisms are suspected to be similar to the ones that explain the association between green spaces—areas covered by vegetation—and health: increased physical activity and relaxation, reduced stress, facilitation of social interactions and cohesion, mitigation of extreme temperatures, enhancement of the immune system, etc. In any case, more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the health of the population, not least because of the lockdowns, restrictions and socioeconomic consequences that have come in its wake. Several studies have suggested that the pandemic has led to increased rates of anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness and other symptoms of deteriorating mental health. Moreover, decreases in physical activity—like that observed during lockdown—have a significant impact on both physical and mental health.

Can we count on blue spaces to be a safe haven in these turbulent times? The risk of COVID-19 infection still exists. Nevertheless, as long as we heed the recommendations of the health authorities, we can derive many health benefits from taking a walk along the water

Can we count on blue spaces to be a safe haven in these turbulent times? The risk of COVID-19 infection still exists. Nevertheless, as long as we heed the recommendations of the health authorities, we can derive many health benefits from taking a walk along the water. Blue spaces facilitate physical activity, help us relax, reduce stress and make us feel better overall.