WHY WE FIND THE WATER PEACEFUL
Being on, in, or near water has a stress-relieving and creativity-boosting impact on the brain. Research actually studied this. There is a concept called the 'Blue Mind' that originated with a marine biologist, Wallace J. Nichols, who is remembered for his work in science and conservation. He wrote a book called Blue Mind where he described the phenomenon as a 'mildly meditative' state that's inspired by water and "takes advantage of the neurological connections formed over millennia" that are still being discovered via newer technology such as the EEG and MRI.
Readers sent photos of oceans, lakes, rivers, and even pools to say that their favorite body of water "soothes their souls, brings peace, is their happy place, and seems to align their internal rhythm to the universe." That is pretty powerful stuff in my opinion. I know that the beach is my happy place and that is what I have always called it. The sounds, the smells...there is nothing else quite like it.
On that note though, I can also say that where I live is land-locked and not around the ocean. However, I am blessed enough to have a pool and I can say that in weather where it is feasible I am so happy out around the pool. When the weather is not cooperative, it also works just to look out over the pool from inside. I stopped having the pool covered in the wintertime because it is so tranquil just to look at (even when there may be snow around it). With fans or heaters on in what we call our 'inside-out room' (screened-in patio) it can put me in my happy place. I adore sitting out with my coffee or tea and a good book.
There are endless examples of art that water inspired from poetry, novels, music, and paintings. Less than two minutes of looking at water outdoors is enough to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and actually lower your blood pressure. This is based on recent research according to Adam Grant. One possible explanation: "Since being attuned to visual cues for water helped our ancestors avoid dehydration, the mere sight of water can be a relief."
Even views of water through windows and artwork apparently help patients recover faster. In surveys, people recuperating from heart surgery who viewed an open-water scene had lower anxiety levels and needed less pain medication than those who looked at an abstract design, a blank white panel, or even a forest scene.
There is actually a 'thing' called Float Therapy. I would gladly sign up for that. I know that when I am in my pool on a float it is simply heavenly.
Water affects all of our senses. Simply amazing 💧💦
A quote by Bruce Lee puts another aspect on water:
This is such a beautiful message that I feel calmer just having read it.
ReplyDeleteWater is truly one of our greatest gifts as well as being the only thing we cannot live without for long at all. Cherish it and protect it.
Love these great blogs!
We had a water feature on our patio and it was the most calming sound ever. Well, almost! The waves at the ocean do that same effect for me. We even had Kristi Duckworth make one new pottery piece for it when it was accidentally dropped. It takes a small water pump that must be plugged in to make it work. They only last a year or so. It has not been replaced since I lost Steve. Maybe, just maybe, I can figure it out and take in the old one to Lowe's and fix it myself to have it running in the Spring? Ah-ha! A new project for me. 😍
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