THE seaside stirs up our fondest memories, a study suggests.
Sun, sea and sand makes Brits most nostalgic, with rivers and lakes also among our top feel-good locations.
Being by the water topped spending time in fields, forests or mountains, Cambridge University research found.
Study author Dr Elisabeta Militaru said: “Our findings add to the growing evidence that blue places are associated with increased psychological well-being.
“People don’t like extremely chaotic outlines of the kind you might see in the middle of the forest, where you don’t get a sense of openness.
“Seaside, rivers and lakes may give us the optimal visual complexity.
“We are particularly nostalgic about memorable one-time experiences and about unique places which we have visited.
“Holidays, including trips to cities, can leave a deep emotional imprint.”
The study questioned 200 Brits and 800 Americans about the places that made them feel most nostalgic.
Devon, Cornwall and North Yorkshire were hot spots for Brits.
Americans were most likely to choose seaside states Florida and California.
A quarter of Britain’s most nostalgic places were by the sea, while they accounted for 20 per cent in the US.
Cities were 20 per cent in the UK and 22 per cent in the US. Fields, mountains, forests and rivers and lakes were about ten per cent each.
Dr Militaru added: “Nostalgia emerges when we are faced with psychological discomfort, like feeling lonely or socially excluded.
“Research shows nostalgia can have a positive role in caring for people with dementia.”
GettyThe seaside is the place where Brits feel most nostalgic, a study has found[/caption]
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