BY CHARLENE PETERS
HauteWELLNESS
OUT OF MY BLUE MIND
The scientifically proven solace of water
IN 2014, MARINE BIOLOGIST DR. WALLACE J. NICHOLS PUBLISHED Blue Mind, which has since become a landmark book that explores and scientifically explains how water in all its shapes and forms affects us and how it is a contributing factor to our health and well-being. In short, he proves what most of us know innately: being near water can soothe the soul. In the introduction to Blue Mind, Nichols points out that humans are hardwired to be healed by water. In fact, Nichols has been a keynote speaker on this topic at the annual Blue Mind Summit since 2010, a conference where a diverse collection of scientists gather to discuss the movement to better understand human beings’ connection to water. Think about it. Every human’s relationship to water begins in the womb (where our brains develop and are composed of 80 percent water), and ever 84
thereafter, the human-to-water connection stays incredibly strong. The calm from a nearby body of water can induce a meditative state. There's even a science claim that interacting with a body of water on any level can be a potent antidote to anxiety and other mental and physical conditions related to stress. As one who grew up on the coast a few miles north of Boston, I’ve always found solace in the healing energy of the Atlantic Ocean, breathing in the salty sea spay from the waves crashing on the cliffside rocks or simply mesmerized watching sailboats float in Marblehead Harbor. When I moved inland, the very act of surfing the web and seeking a seaside escape thrilled me. There’s simply no denying the enchantment of being at the water’s edge, where many of life’s most meaningful moments often take place. However, oceans, rivers, ponds, and lakes aren’t the only places to get a “blue fix.” Adding a fountain or water feature to your outdoor space is an easy and effective way to benefit from the soothing sounds of flowing water. Just taking a bath works, too. Wayne Brown based his entire 37-year career around on-the-water experiences and “Blue Mind” science. His company, Aggressor Adventures, leads 40 unique, water-centric trips in 19 countries, including scuba dives in the Maldives, the Red Sea, the Galapagos, and Belize, boutique river cruises along the Nile, and an assortment of yacht sails.
PHOTO COURTESY MIKE PORTER
Marblehead Harbor
