Living Here Might Be the Key to a Longer Life, New Study Says

There are plenty of things you can do to help you live longer: Eat vegetables. Get better sleep. Don’t smoke. But you might want to add one more thing to the list—move close to the ocean.

Researchers from The Ohio State University analyzed population data, including life expectancy, from more than 66,000 census reports throughout the U.S. and compared lifespans against a person's proximity to water. Not surprisingly, the oceanside dwellers came out on top.

Published in the journal Environmental Research, the study found that those who live within about 30 miles of an ocean or gulf lived longer as compared to those who live in urban settings and near an inland body of water larger than four square miles, like a lake. Living near inland bodies of water in rural areas was shown to boost life expectancy as well, though not as much as living near the coast.

“Overall, the coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer than the 79-year average, and those who lived in more urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so. The coastal residents probably live longer due to a variety of intertwined factors,” lead researcher Jianyong “Jamie” Wu said in a statement.

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Those contributing factors, the research suggests, could be milder temperatures, better air quality, more recreational opportunities, better transportation systems, and fewer droughts, as well as a higher income in order to afford a property by the ocean. One of the most significant factors that researchers found was that coastal towns typically experience fewer hot days and heatwaves compared to inland towns, which can affect longevity.

Previous research found a connection between living near water and better health, including higher physical activity levels, lower obesity rates, and improved heart health. Because of this, Wu wondered if there was a link between “blue space” living and lifespan. A blue space is categorized as any area dominated by a body of water. But, as the Ohio State researchers discovered, the type of blue space matters.

“We thought it was possible that any type of ‘blue space’ would offer some beneficial effects, and we were surprised to find such a significant and clear difference between those who live near coastal waters and those who live near inland waters,” said Wu, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at The Ohio State University College of Public Health.