The love of being around water seems to be an almost universal human trait. Even for those that may not like to be in the water, they find themselves drawn to staring out at the great blue and feeling the ocean’s relaxing vibes at a distance.
In fact, science has proven that staring out at bodies of water and submerging your face in water sets about many changes biologically. Our breathing slows and we enter a sort of meditative state. Additionally, in places where the water is churned up, such as a beach with waves breaking on the shore or near a waterfall, the air fills with negative ions, which is proven to elevate our mood.
Marine biologist, Dr. Wallace J. Nicholas, wrote a fascinating book about the topic, called “Blue Mind.” If you would like to explore the topic and the scientific findings deeper, this book is an excellent read.
I know for me, going to visit the ocean almost daily is a form of self-care. Even if I feel my schedule is already too full, I know that if I take a break and get out for a swim or a surf or even just a walk to stare out at the sea for a while, I will come home feeling much better, recharged and able to continue with all the work and attention to detail that make up my life. Without these breaks, I find my batteries slowly deplete and without that recharge, I become less effective at my work and my productivity suffers.
I invite you to think of some ways you could incorporate water into your life. Why not try an experiment with yourself and see how interacting with water on a more frequent basis affects your life? Note any changes in a journal. If you don’t have an ocean near you, why not take a walk to a lake, pond, or stream? Even taking a bath or trip to a swimming pool would work. Pick a time of day that works for you, put it on your calendar and set aside this time for your own self-care. I look forward to hearing any results or changes in your well-being that you notice.
