We’ve all heard the usual advice for living a longer, healthier life: eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, avoid smoking, and maybe call your loved ones a little more often. But now, scientists are adding an unexpected suggestion to that list — live near the ocean.
And if you’re lucky enough to already be there? You might just be quietly banking extra years without even knowing it.
The Research That Got Everyone Talking
A recent study led by Ohio State University examined data from over 66,000 people and compared their life spans based on how close they lived to bodies of water. The results revealed something fascinating: those living along the coast were more likely to live past the average age of 79. In some cases, the difference amounted to a whole extra year or more of life compared to people living inland.
Interestingly, not all “water living” was created equal. People in cities by rivers or lakes didn’t get the same benefits. In fact, some inland water residents had slightly shorter lifespans — averaging around 78 years.
“Coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer,” said environmental health scientist Jianyong Wu. “Those in urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so.”
The finding raises a tantalizing question: what is it about living next to the vast, salty expanse of the ocean that seems to give people a subtle edge in longevity?
Read more: New Study Reveals What’s Really Making People Gain Weight
Theories About the “Ocean Effect”
Researchers have a handful of working theories, but none have been proven as the sole explanation. Instead, the answer might lie in a web of overlapping factors.
1. Cleaner Air
Coastal areas tend to have fewer airborne pollutants compared to inland cities, especially industrial ones. Sea breezes can sweep away smog and dust, providing cleaner air for residents to breathe. This could reduce the risk of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems.
2. Milder Temperatures
Oceans act like giant heat regulators. They absorb heat in the summer and release it in the winter, creating more moderate year-round temperatures. This stability can lower stress on the body, particularly for older adults or people with heart conditions.
3. More Opportunities for Outdoor Activity
Beaches, coastal trails, and seaside parks naturally encourage walking, swimming, surfing, and cycling. People living near the coast may unintentionally get more daily exercise simply because they have easier access to inviting outdoor spaces.
4. The Seafood Factor
Coastal communities often have diets rich in fresh fish and shellfish, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids — nutrients linked to heart health, brain function, and reduced inflammation. A traditional Mediterranean-style coastal diet has already been associated with increased longevity.
5. Psychological Benefits of “Blue Space”
We’ve long known about the mental health boost from “green spaces” like parks and forests. Now scientists are studying the impact of “blue spaces” — seas, rivers, and lakes — on the human mind. The ocean’s vastness, rhythmic tides, and soothing colors may naturally reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and even help regulate sleep patterns.
The Twist: Not All Water Helps Equally
The Ohio State University study delivered one surprising twist — living near water in an urban setting didn’t always help. In fact, city dwellers next to rivers or lakes sometimes lived shorter lives than their counterparts far from water.
The likely culprits?
- Pollution – Urban rivers and lakes often suffer from industrial runoff or sewage contamination.
- Flood Risk – Proximity to water in a city can increase exposure to flooding, which has both immediate dangers and long-term health consequences.
- Lack of Safe Recreation – In some urban areas, waterfronts may be industrial zones or unsafe for walking and outdoor exercise.
- Socioeconomic Disparities – Some waterfront districts have high poverty rates, and poverty is one of the strongest predictors of shorter life expectancy.
Interestingly, rural inland waters told a different story. People living in small towns near lakes or rivers tended to see a modest increase in life expectancy — though not as much as those by the coast. This suggests that quality of the surrounding environment may matter just as much as proximity to water.
Read more: Scientists Say This Simple Exercise Can Reduce Your Biological Age By 9 Years
Why the Ocean Outshines Lakes and Rivers
Even after accounting for economic differences, pollution levels, and climate, the ocean still came out ahead. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why, but a few unique features stand out.
- Salt Air and Sea Spray
Some researchers speculate that the salty air itself may have health benefits. Ocean spray contains microscopic droplets of seawater, minerals, and even trace amounts of beneficial microorganisms that could subtly influence our respiratory or immune systems. - Sunlight and Vitamin D
Coastal living often means more days outdoors, which boosts vitamin D production — important for bone health, mood regulation, and immune support. - Tidal Rhythms
There’s a poetic theory here: the ocean’s constant rise and fall may unconsciously encourage a slower, more natural pace of life. People may sleep better, manage stress more effectively, and spend more time in restorative activities. - Biodiversity Exposure
Contact with diverse natural environments, including beaches and tidal zones, can strengthen the immune system by exposing us to a greater variety of harmless microorganisms — a concept known as the “old friends hypothesis.”
Not Just a Modern Discovery
The idea that the sea is good for health isn’t new. In the 18th and 19th centuries, European doctors often prescribed “sea air” and “bathing cures” to patients with respiratory or nervous system ailments. Coastal resorts boomed during this period, marketed as restorative retreats for the wealthy.
Even today, many cultures maintain a deep, almost spiritual connection to the sea — from Japanese ama divers who continue a centuries-old tradition of fishing well into old age, to Mediterranean fishing villages where community bonds and seafood-rich diets form the backbone of daily life.
A Broader Pattern: Place Shapes Health
The “ocean effect” may just be one example of how our environment quietly shapes our bodies over time. Researchers studying global “Blue Zones” — areas where people live significantly longer than average — have found common threads: fresh air, strong community ties, outdoor activity, and nutrient-rich diets.
Some mountainous regions, for instance, show increased longevity due to cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and the natural exercise that comes from climbing hills daily. Meanwhile, certain rural farming areas enjoy the benefits of homegrown produce and active lifestyles.
The key point? Where you live can be as influential as the habits you keep.
What We Still Don’t Know
While the data clearly shows a coastal advantage, the exact “why” remains elusive. Is it mostly physical factors like air quality and climate? Is it lifestyle and diet? Or is there something subtler at work — a kind of psychological nourishment that comes from living near something as vast and timeless as the sea?
The truth is likely a combination of all of these. Nature rarely works in neat, single-variable explanations. Instead, it layers its influences, weaving together air, water, sunlight, sound, and human behavior into a complex tapestry that science is only beginning to untangle.
Final Wave
For now, we can’t say with certainty that moving to the coast will add years to your life. But the evidence suggests it might — and at the very least, it could make the years you have a little more peaceful, active, and connected to the rhythms of nature.
So whether it’s the salt in the air, the call of the gulls, or the soothing repetition of the tides, the ocean seems to hold a quiet secret: it doesn’t just refresh your mind in the moment — it may also be helping you quietly win the long game.
And that’s a mystery worth keeping.
