Why Being Near The Ocean Can Make You Calmer And More Creative
Ever wondered why a beach vacation leaves you feeling rejuvenated? The ocean's proximity might be the secret to your calmness and creativity surge. Let's delve into the science behind this fascinating phenomenon.
Water can induce a meditative state
Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist, believes that we all have a “blue mind” — a “meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment” — that’s triggered when we’re in or near water.
- When we’re near, on, in or under water, we get a cognitive break because there’s simply less information coming in and our brains don’t shut down — they keep working, but in a different way
- Water gives our brains a rest
- Being around water gives our senses a rest from overstimulation
A blue mind is a creative mind
Hopping in the shower can trigger ideas when our brains are in a creative rut
- In our always-busy, screen-saturated lives, we don’t give our minds much of a chance to rest and wander freely.
- When we do, the mind switches into a different mode of engagement, known as the default mode network, which is the brain network associated with daydreaming, imagination, consolidation of memories, self-referential thought, insight and introspection
The shower is a proxy for the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean
You step in the shower, and you remove a lot of the visual stimulation of your day.
- Auditorially, it’s the same thing — it’s a steady stream of ‘blue noise.’ You’re not hearing voices or processing ideas. You step into the shower and it’s like a mini-vacation.”
Mindfulness
Being in a mindful state — in which the brain is relaxed but focused — benefits the mind and body on a number of different levels
- A growing body of research has found myriad benefits associated with mindfulness including lower stress levels, relief from mild anxiety, pain and depression, improved mental clarity and focus, and better sleep quality.
- Water can inspire us to be more compassionate and connected
Exercise by or in water is good for our bodies and brains
Being outside near water while you’re exercising will potentially give you more of a mental boost than exercising in a crowded, hectic gym environment with TVs in front of you and people all around
- Many people feel intuitively that being in the presence water provides tangible benefits for their well-being
Romantic Moments by the Water
Many of life’s most romantic moments take place by the water – engagements, weddings, and honeymoons overwhelmingly occur in waterside locations.