Long have us city dwellers thought we should pick up and move to the
seaside for the sake of our mental health. Now there’s some proper scientific
backing for that pondering. New research suggests that those who live close to
the sea have better mental health than those who live far from the coast.
That’s regardless of their household income, so it’s not as simple as just
being able to afford a home – there seem to be mental health benefits
specifically from living nearer the sea. Researchers from the University of
Exeter used survey data from 25,963 participants and found that those who live
less than a kilometre from the coast are 22% less likely to have symptoms of a
mental health disorder than those who live 50km or more away. People in
low-income households less than a kilometre from the coast are around 40% less
likely to have symptoms, compared to those earning the same amount living more
than 50km away. We don’t know exactly why this is, but researchers
believe their findings back up the idea that ‘blue spaces’ – like green spaces,
but with the sea – can improve your wellbeing. Dr Jo Garrett, who led the
study, said: ‘Our research suggests, for the first time, that people in poorer
households living close to the coast experience fewer symptoms of mental health
disorders.
When it comes to mental health, this ‘protective’ zone could play a useful
role in helping to level the playing field between those on high and low
income.’ Dr Mathew White, environmental psychologist at the University of
Exeter, said: ‘This kind of research into blue health is vital to convincing
governments to protect, create and encourage the use of coastal spaces. ‘We
need to help policy makers understand how to maximize the wellbeing benefits of
‘blue’ spaces in towns and cities and ensure that access is fair and inclusive
for everyone, while not damaging our fragile coastal environments.’ It’s
important to note, of course, that the causes of mental illness are complex.
While the results of this study might tip the scales in favour of living by the
coast, we can’t declare that packing up and moving to live by the sea is a
magical cure for all mental ills. After all, it’s hard to be in the best mental
space if you drastically change your life with no safety net in terms of a job,
friends, and a place to live. If you’re struggling with your mental health,
chat to your GP or a therapist before planning a big move.
1. Read the text and say if the following sentences
are TRUE or FALSE. Write down which part of the text justifies your answer
1. Although it hadn´t been
proved scientifically, people knew it was good for your mind to live near the
sea.
2. You need to earn a lot of
money to enjoy the benefits of living near the coast.
3. The scientists involved in
the study want as many people as possible to access blue spaces at any cost.
4. There are quite a few things
to ponder when planning to move to the coast for the sake of your mental
health.
3. Find words or phrases in the text that correspond
to the definitions given.
a. support (p.1)
b. be able to pay (p.1)
c. illness (p.1)
d. consider (p.1)
e. balance (p.2)
f.
fight
(p.2)
KEY
1. True. " Long have us city dwellers thought we should pick up and move to the
seaside for the sake of our mental health. Now there’s some proper scientific
backing for that pondering"
2. False. " New research suggests that those who live close to the sea have better
mental health than those who live far from the coast. That’s regardless of
their household income,"
3. False. " We need to help policy makers understand
how to maximize the wellbeing benefits of ‘blue’ spaces in towns and cities and
ensure that access is fair and inclusive for everyone, while not damaging our
fragile coastal environments."
4. True. " . While the results of this study might
tip the scales in favour of living by the coast, we can’t declare that packing
up and moving to live by the sea is a magical cure for all mental ills. After
all, it’s hard to be in the best mental space if you drastically change your
life with no safety net in terms of a job, friends, and a place to live. "
2.
a. backing / to back
b. afford / to afford
c. disorder
d. pondering / to
ponder
e. level / to level
f.
struggling
/ to struggle
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario