Blue Mind Therapy: Embracing the Healing Power of Water
This June we celebrate Ocean day and Environment day. Honouring our planet by protecting its waters, preserving the earth's natural beauty and harnessing the therapeutic effects it has on our lives, can be hugely beneficial.
What is Blue Mind Therapy?
Blue Mind Therapy is based on the idea that being near, in, on, or under water can have a profound and positive impact on our mental health. Coined by marine biologist and author Wallace J. Nichols, the term "Blue Mind" describes the mildly meditative state we enter when we are in or near water.
The Blue Mind Theory is the idea that being in proximity to water can ease your mind into a meditative state. Nichols claims that being in or near water triggers a positive response in our brains, since humans are mostly made of water, our brains see it and think, “I’m in the right place.”
This neutral, calm Blue Mind state contrasts what Nichols calls the “Red Mind” state in which our bodies have become accustomed to in a faster paced modern environment.
“being near, in, on, or under water can have a profound and positive impact on our mental health”
Nichols proposes that one of the reasons behind the positive psychological effects of water pertains to how our brains evolved, essentially the ebb and flow of water can tell our brains that it’s safe to relax. Being near a constant yet changing environment such as water can trigger a phenomenon known as involuntary attention. Involuntary attention refers to the automatic, unconscious redirection of focus towards a stimulus without deliberate effort or intention. It is a fundamental aspect of human cognition that helps us quickly respond to potential threats or important changes in our environment.
The Benefits of Blue Mind Therapy
Water's calming presence can lower stress levels. The sound of waves, the sight of water, and even the feel of water on our skin can activate our parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
That feeling of calm at the sight of water can actually lower your heart rate and boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin. This can in turn boost our creativity and focus.
The tranquil environment created by water can free the mind from everyday distractions, fostering creativity and improving concentration. This is why many people report having their best ideas near water.
These soothing qualities and lack of day to day distractions
can also
contribute to better sleep patterns. Many people find that the sound of water helps them fall asleep more easily and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep.
Engaging in water activities like swimming, kayaking, or even walking by the beach can enhance physical health. These activities promote cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness.
Doctors have been prescribing days at the beach for centuries, as salt water, warm sand, and sea breeze benefit people's health. There are obvious differences in being surrounded by open air and water and being surrounded by buildings, and traffic congestion. Spending time by the sea, river and lakes means more time spent outdoors therefore being more exposed to the sun's vitamin D. This has an impact on better immune health, improved calcium absorption levels, and can even help to develop fewer allergies.
How you can Introduce Blue Mind Therapy into Your Life
Incorporating Blue Mind Therapy into your routine doesn't require living by the sea or spending hours swimming each day. Here are some practical ways to embrace the healing power of water:
Making regular trips to nearby lakes, rivers, or beaches, even a short visit, to listen and look at the water can provide a mental reset and improve your mood. Practicing mindfulness or meditation by water by focusing on the sights, sounds, and sensations can help to ground yourself in the present moment.
Engage in water-based activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply floating. These activities offer both physical exercise and mental relaxation.
“focusing on the sights, sounds, and sensations can help to ground yourself in the present moment.”
Not everyone is close to water, but this shouldn’t deter you from being able to reep the benefits. Bringing water into your home, such as adding a small indoor fountain, sound machines that plays ocean or river sounds and even transforming your bath into a therapeutic experience. Use soothing bath salts, essential oils, and calming music to create a spa-like environment at home.
Practicing blue mind therapy can also be a great wait to meet new people. Look for local clubs or groups that engage in water activities. This can provide social interaction, motivation, and a shared appreciation for the benefits of water.
Blue Mind Therapy offers a simple yet powerful way to enhance your mental and physical well-being. By embracing the natural calming effects of water, you can reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve your overall quality of life. Whether you’re near the ocean, a lake, or even a bathtub, let the healing power of water transform your daily routine and bring you closer to a state of balance and tranquillity.
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