If you feel drawn to the beach, relaxed by rain, and calmer after a swim, you might have a blue mind. In his book Blue Mind (Back Bay Books, 2015), the late marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols uses science to explain the connection between water and well-being. Nichols’ blue mind theory suggests that water in all forms is an antidote to the unhealthy, stressed-out pace of modern life.
No swimming pool? No problem. Dive into these easy ways to bring more water into your life.
01
Get close to wild water
Being near wild water, which includes all natural bodies of water from rivers to lakes to the ocean, may be especially beneficial. Observing water in a natural environment engages all the senses and promotes a positive state of mind. The continuous fluid movements of waves or even slight ripples can be gently hypnotic, inspiring a sense of awe and outward thinking while relaxing the brain into a loose, creative state. Let the trickle of a stream be your new relaxation soundtrack.
02
Take a bath
Adopting this at-home ritual can alleviate the stresses of work and family life. A hot bath helps lower blood pressure, ease sore muscles, and slow racing thoughts. Feeling buoyant has profound positive effects, from easing pain to promoting feelings of comfort. Carving out time for self-care is crucial for overall wellness, and a bath helps slow everything down so you can connect with your blue mind self. Pro tip: indulge in a warm bath before bedtime to help you drift more quickly into dreamland.
03
Take a cold plunge
Cold plunging is a simple (if daunting!) way to shock your system, increasing alertness and attentiveness. Cold-water immersion also improves circulation, which can help with muscle recovery after a tough workout. One small study found that participants who switched to cold showers for a few months had 29 percent fewer sick days than those who stuck with hot showers., Daring yourself and encouraging others to take the plunge can be incredibly empowering, and the flood of dopamine and endorphins will leave you energized long after you’ve warmed up.
04
Visit a Nordic spa
Popular in Scandinavia for generations, the Nordic spa experience is a prolonged circuit of hot, cold, rest, repeat. Alternating between hot tubs, steam saunas, icy cold plunges, and loungey intermissions, this dynamic therapy is gaining popularity in North America. The hot-cold contrast treatment is likened to vascular gymnastics, and it’s proven to strengthen your immune response, boost your metabolism, and help with arthritis and joint injury pain.
05
Sit near a fountain
Install a small fountain on your patio or a bird bath in the garden to add a soothing element to your outdoor living experience. The sound of falling water helps clear an overstimulated mind and can drown out distracting environmental noises, allowing you to focus more easily on what’s important. Even sitting next to an urban water fountain in a public area can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn signals your body to relax.
06
Get a fish tank
Watching live fish has been found to boost mood and even lower blood pressure (yes, really!). The gentle sound of a bubbling filtration system can contribute to a feeling of calm relaxation, like a massage for your brain. Close observation of fish grounds you in the present moment, so it could even serve as an effective meditative technique. Don’t own a fish tank? Visit your local aquarium or a neighborhood pond to connect with nature—and tune into tranquility.
07
Take a seaside vacation
Hitting the beach is synonymous with relaxation. The turquoise waters of the tropics bring the sight, sound, and briny smell of the waves into a hypnotic focus. The crashing action of waves releases negative ions into the sea air that can support lung function and the flow of oxygen to the brain. Research shows that interacting with (rather than simply viewing) blue spaces increases mood-boosting benefits, so use that as an excuse to play in the waves, surf, and snorkel your way to serenity.
08
Download a water app
Even virtual water features can improve your mindset. The sound of light rain or a gentle river fall into a sound category called pink noise. Brown noise is deeper pitched and includes waterfall sounds and heavy rainfall. Studies show that listening to these soundscapes might make doing homework or falling asleep easier. Use a cascading waterfall or an undulating stream as screen savers for a calming backdrop when your devices go into sleep mode.
09
Drink more water
Your body is 60 percent water, so it makes sense that staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for overall health. Optimal hydration supports exercise performance and recovery and boosts brain function. Hydrating throughout the day is also one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to lessen the frequency of headaches for chronic sufferers. And, if that’s not enough to convince you to fill up your water bottle more often, hydration is essential for regulating digestion and increasing mental alertness (no caffeine needed!).
10
Embrace the color blue
Blue is long renowned for its calming properties. Gazing at the ocean or up at the bright blue sky is an immediate mood lightener. Blue paint and artwork can be used to support a soothing bedroom environment and to create a sense of tranquility in stressful environments like the dentist’s office. Blue light gets a bad rap, but blue light in the form of morning sun exposure helps boost alertness, mood, and brain function. Researchers are also exploring blue light therapy for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
