302. Spending time near the ocean as a child linked to better mental health as an adult
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Spending time near water during childhood, such as the ocean or lakes, is linked to better mental health as an adult. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, researchers surveyed 15,000 people in 18 countries about their experiences of “blue spaces,” such as near the ocean, up until age 16. They found a clear link between more time spent in these blue spaces and improved mental health in adulthood. They found that adults who spent time around oceans and lakes as a child tended to enjoy nature later in life and seek out more activities around water as adults, which could improve their mental health.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
