Being Near Water Has Positive Impact On Mental Health

17-08-2022 | Posted in: Blogs, Wellness & Lifestyle

There is a positive impact on mental health by being in or near water, whether it be a brisk sea breeze, the soft lapping of waves, or the glitter of sunlight on a rippling surface. The Victorians were aware of this and recommended sea air as a remedy for depression. The French, who for ages took sick people to natural springs, did the same thing. Researchers are now catching up.

Why is being near water calming?

In 2022, the world is becoming more and more built up, so it is not surprising that as humans we are naturally drawn to natural ‘blue areas’. The air is generally cleaner on the coast or by natural water springs like lakes which makes it more comfortable for our respiratory systems too. The deeper connection between humans and water is that our bodies are made up of 70% water, this creates a deeper biological connection further emphasises a natural desire to be around water.

Studies have shown that there is a natural positive response in the brain that is triggered when we see or hear water. This trigger stimulates a surge of neurochemicals that increase blood flow, induce relaxation and promote wellness. As a result of this finding, it appears that those who live closer to a coastline tend to have more active lifestyles and consequently, have higher levels of endorphins – ‘the happy hormone’!

Does being around water make you calm?

Marine Biologist Wallace Nichols noted that “water is the antidote to the ‘red mind’ state” (Livini, 2018) the red mind state being anxiety caused by over-reliance on technology and constant urbanisation of the modern world. It would seem that the idea of feeling calm that comes from being around water isn’t the feeling of water itself but is the associations that come with it. When we look at an image of the sea, there is a lot of open space which allows us to feel a sense of freedom that you simply don’t get when you look at images of a built-up city.

Similarly listening to the sound of a water fountain flowing is a form of brown noise- this is similar to white noise but of a slightly deeper frequency. The consistently equal frequencies are relaxing and help to drown out louder sounds that may disturb the brain from relaxation. In addition to this, as humans we are hard-wired to fear loud crashes or alarming sounds, the flowing of water however is a natural, non-threatening sound so we are naturally not triggered by it. Having said this, each individual is different, and the sound or sight of water can be particularly threatening if an individual has had a negative experience with water in the past.