What the experts say

Dr Matthew White is an environmental psychologist, the senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, and the lead academic for the BlueHealth project that began in 2016 and ended in 2020.

BlueHealth conducted a large-scale survey (not affiliated House by Urban Splash) with localised interventions to understand the effects that living by the coast might have on health.

Speaking on the research – in a video on the BlueHealth website – Dr White said: “People who spend time by the coast seem to relax more – more stress reduction, secondly, they seem to engage in more physical activity, and thirdly, what we’ve observed, particularly in interviews data, is more positive social interactions.”

The well-being benefits of finding a home by the water

There are plenty of opportunities to improve your health and well-being when you find your home by the water – here are our favourite three:

01 –– The opportunity for improved fitness

With beautiful blue spaces on your doorstep, you start to enjoy being outside more.

This leads to changes in your lifestyle that involve engaging in more physical activities – waterside walks at every opportunity, scenic morning runs, and even sports like kayaking or paddle boarding at the weekend.

Overall fitness levels improve, and the endorphins your body releases from the exercise helps you to feel well mentally as well as physically.

02 –– The opportunity to feel connected with others

When we come across beautiful places to see and interesting things to do, we intuitively want to share these experiences with the people we love.

So, there’s a social element to living by the water that gives you the opportunity to connect with others and feel a grounding sense of togetherness.

Invite your mum for an evening stroll, get the whole family together for a picnic by the water, or find a quiet spot with a view to enjoy with your partner.

03 –– The opportunity to reduce your stress levels

Watching waves crashing into each other, seeing ripples rolling out across the water’s surface, or just observing the complete stillness of a body of water makes us feel relaxed.

You’ll have an outdoor place to enjoy away from your computer screen, hectic work schedules, and never-ending to-do lists.

And if you secure one of our homes that offer waterside views – you can enjoy the sense of calm that water creates without even leaving your house.

Find your brand-new home at East Float, Wirral Waters, or canal-side Port Loop, Birmingham. Click here to book a viewing at your nearest show home and experience these beautiful House by Urban Splash neighbourhoods in person.