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Spirits naturally lift after a stroll on a beach or a refreshing dip in a pool. This sense of calm is your brain responding to what scientists call Blue Mind Theory. More people are discovering the restorative power of blue spaces, be it an ocean, lake, or splashing fountain. Having a connection to water offers a natural antidote to a stressful lifestyle and is a powerful way to enhance mental and physical wellbeing.
Blue Mind Theory, a term coined in 2014 by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, refers to the meditative state of peacefulness and satisfaction that occurs in or near water, according to Country Living. With many posts on TikTok and Instagram showing people enjoying the pleasures of water, Blue Mind Theory is surging in popularity.
Why Water Creates Calm
The theory centers on the idea that being in or on water may ease your mind into a type of meditative state, making you feel more joyful and healthy. This is because water takes you out of the “Red Mind” state. This is a frenzied place that may lead to chronic stress, depression, and anxiety.
The science behind Blue Mind Theory is compelling, according to well+good. When you encounter water, your nervous system responds by decreasing the fight or flight or sympathetic response and increasing the rest and digest or parasympathetic nervous system. The sensory inputs felt in blue spaces such as water, set against a visual horizon or the lulling sound of waves, may lead to greater mental clarity.
You also have the potential to feel awe around natural bodies of water. This awe could put the brain in a “self-transcendent” state, a place where it focuses more on belonging to the universe and a collective rather than being separate and apart. This brings forth feelings of positivity and connectiveness.
Experience the Blue Mind
You do not need to be by the ocean to benefit from Blue Mind Theory, explains Vogue. A fountain or an aquarium can also be effective. And, you can enter a meditative state in as little as 20 minutes of exposure to water.
“It is believed it can improve mental health by decreasing anxiety and stress levels. It can also increase physical activity levels and desire to be active as well. It not only brings our bodies a sense of calm and peace but can also cause us to feel a spike of energy,” Psychologist Reena B. Patel told Vogue.
If you can’t get in the water, simply sitting by it is healing, especially for its sensory stimulation, notes Country Living. Watch the water, noting its shapes, movements, and colors. Then listen to it. Psychologists say this type of engagement activates a “soft fascination,” where nature’s textures activate the senses and improve feelings of wellbeing.
A Reciprocal Relationship With Water
Enjoying being in blue spaces is not just about what water can do for you; it is also about how you care for this precious environment. That feeling of awesomeness inspires a sense of custodianship and care. “If you feel the water makes you feel better, then it's quite natural to want to look after it too,” Dr. Catherine Kelly, a Blue Space expert from the University of Brighton, told Country Living.
Experiencing the benefits of blue spaces could also lead to more environmental protection efforts. Ways to give back include joining local beach cleanups or supporting marine conservation. This, in itself, can become part of a wellbeing practice.
Living in an increasingly hectic and stressful world, it is important to have a way to restore balance and calm. Being beside water is a simple remedy, be it an ocean, lake, or even a shower. Seek out a blue space and engage with it mindfully. Practicing Blue Mind Theory may bring relaxation, joy, and a desire to connect with and protect a precious natural world that is all blue.
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