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Few people aren’t soothed by the tranquil sound of gently flowing water. Fountains and other water features have long formed part of tranquil parks and gardens worldwide, from Morocco to Japan to Spain for this reason, as Better Homes & Gardens reports.
Today, more households and workplaces are bringing smaller, indoor fountains, into their spaces, from family homes to clinics. Much more than an accent piece for a room, placed on a coffee table, or stand, these flowing 3D water features offer surprising benefits to health, as the Sunnydaze blog pinpoints, as well as a tranquil backdrop for de-stressing activities such as meditation.
Water as spiritual element
Significantly, water has been a strong feature in religious and cultural traditions, for its perceived power to transform the world, to cleanse us of sins, and to sanctify. It is seen as a living, spiritual substance that mediates between humans and the gods, as the Religious Affairs Office of Barcelona outlines.
The water element is one of the five essential elements in feng shui practice, as Home Edit details. In Feng Shui, traditional Chinese laws on governing spatial arrangements in relation to the flow of energy, water is seen as one of the most vital. This is because it represents flow and movement that can promote tranquillity and emotional well-being, connection in relationships, reflection and clarity, and abundance.
It is this potential to unblock stagnant energy that leads many feng shui practitioners to recommend indoor water fountains as a feature near front entrances.
The healing power of flowing water
The sound of gently flowing water can help alleviate stress, as the multitude of ASMR videos featuring the sounds of flowing water, testify.
A 2017 study from the University of Sussex, concludes that “Playing ‘natural sounds’ affects the bodily systems that control the flight-or-flight and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, with associated effects in the resting activity of the brain” Science Daily reports.
According to Soothing Company, the mental wellbeing benefits of indoor fountains take in their ability to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, diminishing stress and anxiety.
As Sunnydaze details, the rhythmic sound of trickling water can assist those who struggle with sleep, assisting in the transition to sleep. The soft, repetitive sounds create a tranquil atmosphere that is conducive to sleep, so improving sleep quality. It can also drown out unwanted noise from traffic, pets, and noisy neighbors to create a more serene indoor environment that encourages mental peace.
Moreover, running water sounds can boost concentration in study or work environments, softening disruptive sounds with an uplifting and energizing white noise that enhances focus.
Indoor fountains can boost air quality too, functioning as natural humidifiers. In winter, indoor fountains have the added benefit of restoring moisture to the air, while not needing to constantly be refilled like humidifiers. In addition, with homes typically filled with positive ion air pollutants like dust and pet dander, a water fountain can purify the air by releasing negative ions which neutralize the positive ones.
Indoor water fixtures, as the Soothing Company observes, can also evoke a sense of connection with nature, aka biophilia, a connection that has been shown to positively impact mental health, enhancing feelings of happiness and tranquillity.
A standout decorative element
From a purely aesthetic perspective, indoor fountains, often incorporating pebbles and plants, are beautiful additions to home decor. They come in assorted styles, and can even be made yourself with an inexpensive fish tank pump.
There are Zen-influenced slate water features with a polished stone ball at the top and minimalist tabletop mountains with modern orb designs, handmade ceramic fountains in gorgeous colors with multiple tiers and decorative elements such as birds or miniature jugs, elaborate fantasy-style creations with mythical creatures, and nature-themed displays with mini cascading walls, or vases “watering” plants and flowers.
It is also fairly easy to create an indoor water fountain using a small, basic fish tank pump and even recycled materials, as our beginner’s video showing how to create one using a plastic water bottle, details.
