In an era of chronic stress and digital overload, science continues validating what people instinctively understand about spending time at the beach. Adults now spend over 11 hours daily on screens, while urban living disconnects people from natural settings. Stress, attention difficulties, and mood challenges have become widespread. Regular exposure to blue spaces like oceans, lakes, and rivers reduces anxiety, improves mood, and enhances overall well-being. As digital demands intensify, the shoreline provides a natural way to reset both mind and body.
Beach visits offer powerful stress relief through full sensory engagement. A 2024 study found that even brief walks along the coast can lower stress hormones and calm the nervous system. For mental health professionals, time in nature represents a simple, accessible, and non-pharmacological tool for easing anxiety and preventing burnout.
More clinicians are now embracing “blue prescriptions,” encouraging patients to spend intentional time near water as part of treatment plans for stress, anxiety, and mood disorders. This growing approach reflects a deeper understanding that our surroundings shape our mental states and that natural settings can effectively complement traditional therapy.
Dr. Konstantin Lukin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy in New Jersey, emphasizes that coastal environments can help reset both the body and mind:
“When we stop doing our usual things and start doing more natural things, like listening to the sound of waves or watching the tide move, our nervous system reacts almost immediately. The beach naturally invites mindfulness, helping people slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.”
Beaches promote “attention restoration,” where effortless focus on vast seascapes lets the mind rest from modern demands, reducing stress and boosting positive emotion. Confronting something vast and magnificent shifts perspective and fosters emotional well-being. Stress decreases, positive emotions flourish, and altruistic behavior increases.
Research shows that people who live near or regularly visit the coast tend to experience better mental health and lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. But it’s not just about being close to the water. Feeling emotionally connected to nature itself plays a key role in building resilience and overall well-being.
A 2022 study found that spending time by the sea helps calm the mind, ease anxious thoughts, and lift mood. The mix of open space, gentle movement, and sensory experiences like the sound of waves and the feeling of wind can make beaches powerful spaces for emotional restoration.
Beyond these population-level effects, individuals can take intentional steps to maximize the mental health benefits of coastal visits.”
To make the most of nature’s therapeutic power, simple practices can enhance the restorative effects of blue spaces. Unplugging from work notifications, walking along the shoreline, and allowing yourself to be fully present with the sounds and sensations of the ocean all help regulate mood and calm the nervous system.
Stephanie Behrens, Clinical Director at Anchored Tides Recovery, explains:
“People often overlook how powerful it can be to simply sit near water. The combination of gentle movement, like walking along the shore, and the sensory experience of being near the ocean helps the nervous system shift out of that constant state of alert. Regular visits to blue spaces give the brain permission to rest, which is exactly what people dealing with chronic stress or anxiety need to feel more grounded and emotionally balanced."
One simple, time-tested way to build mental resilience is to actively make space for these moments — a practice backed by both research and centuries of human experience.
Personal connection to nature plays a big role in how much people benefit from time at the beach. A 2024 study found that individuals with a stronger sense of connection to natural environments experienced lower stress and greater mood improvements after beach exposure. However, research also shows that factors like overcrowded tourism or personal circumstances can limit these effects, highlighting that the beach’s mental health benefits aren’t one-size-fits-all.
These insights highlight the importance of tailoring nature-based strategies to each individual. The mental health benefits of the beach depend on both personal connection and access to peaceful environments. When suggesting seaside visits, practitioners should consider these factors alongside the growing evidence that time in blue spaces can support emotional restoration and resilience.
