Despite nearly nine in 10 (89%) Brits believing being by the coast has a positive impact on their mental health, over two million people are missing out on the positive benefits having never visited the seaside recreationally.
The new research, conducted by the Southampton International Boat Show ahead of its 54th year, shows that 3% of the UK’s population have never visited the coast with the purpose of taking part in recreational activities – which equates to a staggering 2 million people.
Gen Zs, those aged between 18 and 24 years old, are the age group at the highest risk of missing out on the mental health benefits the sea has to offer, with 5% stating they never head to the sea for a serotonin boost.
Across the country, it’s residents from Aberdeen who are least likely to be benefiting from the positive mental health impact of being by the sea as 18,000 people (9% of the population) admit they do not partake in recreational activities, such as paddle boarding or long walks on the beach. Following closely behind are residents in Manchester at 6% (33k people), Sheffield at 6% (32.6k people) and Liverpool at 4% (23.1k people).
At the other end of the spectrum, it’s residents in Southampton who are most likely to be seeing the mental health benefits of being by the sea (2.7k), with people in Cambridge and Oxford following closely behind at 2.9k and 3.2k respectively.
When asked what features of the beach that most aid positive health benefits, Brits cited the sea air (74%), scenic views (65%) and rolling waves (62%) as their top three.
Lesley Robinson, CEO at British Marine, said: “The impact that being by the sea has on our mental health cannot be underestimated. Not only are water sports great for our physical and mental health they also offer a real sense of freedom and exploration.
“With this in mind, it’s disappointing that despite so many people believing in the benefits of being by the water, so many are missing out on the positives that water sports and the coast have to offer.
“With so many options to chose from, such as paddle boarding and surfing to narrow boating and sailing there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fresh air and boost your vitamin D levels.
“That’s what the Southampton International Boat Show is all about; a festival dedicated to celebrating everything positive about the water and its a great space for the nation to reset and clear their heads.”
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