Have you ever thought why you feel so calm when next to water? The peacefulness you feel watching the glistening sparkles of the ocean? Or the feeling of being purely present while watching the ripples on the water fade away?
The human body makes up 70% of water – even our bones hold 31% water. One could say that water is our biological need, which probably explains why when we are in close proximity to water, it makes us feel calm and serene. In fact, research shows that people living near water report better mental health and wellbeing.
In his book, ‘Blue Mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or underwater can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do’ marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols highlights how when near, in or underwater, we fall into a meditative state that essentially heals the over-stimulated and anxious mind, releasing you from the shackles that we tend to find ourselves in everyday life.
In today’s modern-day life, we tend to have very busy schedules – racing from meeting to meeting, ensuring that our team are happy, and hustling to keep the business afloat. We are consumed by technology, and with working from home now a very common norm, are we really dividing our work and ‘me’ time enough? It can be hard to fully switch off, and we often find ourselves culprit to neglecting our well-deserved time to relax and be fully present, push the pause button and refresh our mind and body.
Speaking to Britain’s most successful ever female kayaker, a 2-time Olympian and 6-time World Champion Anna Hemmings, on her views of the wellness benefits of the water, Anna expressed how
