My Alter-Mermaid….And The Science Behind Why Water Inspires & Fulfills My Soul

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE mermaids. I’ve always felt I should be a mermaid – the peace, tranquility and flow that water must mean to this aqua-loving species. How water must influence their entire life – not because they live in it, but how it must make their soul, their spirit, their mind feel and respond to everything else that surrounds them. Simply watching a mermaid “flow” has a synergy, a tranquility to it. (Yes, “I believe” ;-)

Mermaids thrive in, around or on the water. They live because of it. I do to. I’ve always lived by the lake – except for a hiatus of show skiing at Sea World when I didn’t live by the water, but worked by it, in it and on it 8-12 hours a day. And I never “worked” a day in my life because I was by the water. And I still don’t. I’m blessed enough to not only continue to live on the lake, but I also paddleboard almost daily to Lake Austin Spa Resort where I’m Director of Fitness and Activities. My life is surrounded by water.

And that gives me a peace I cannot describe. I also recognize that same glow when I see it in others. You don’t have to be a Get Out Girl – outdoors and on the lake on an hourly basis – to know that water can leave you more rested, at peace, invigorated, inspired and renewed. I run into people all the time who grew up with family lake houses and haven’t been near the water in years. They come visit us at Lake Austin Spa Resort, at our home, or for Get Out Girl events I organize and I see these huge smiles from the soul radiate across their face. It’s the memories and the bliss of water means to their lives. But why is that?

I’m a follower of Wallace J. Nichols a marine biologist, believes that we all have a “blue mind” — as he puts it, “a mildly 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. In short, there is a huge ripple effect of positive mental wellness impact that occurs from being in, on or near the water.

“We are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what’s broken,” Nichols writes in Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, published in July. “We have a ‘blue mind’ — and it’s perfectly tailored to make us happy in all sorts of ways that go way beyond relaxing in the surf, listening to the murmur of a stream, or floating quietly in a pool.”

Here's some of the science behind our “blue minds” as Nichols shared with The Huffington Post, otherwise known as my alter-mermaid.

Water Boosts Creativity.

I get some of my best ideas or inspirations when I’m paddleboarding. Not only is paddling a “flow” sport that allows my brain to relax, but doing this activity on the water allows my mind to slip into a different mode of engagement, as Nichols calls it, where my brain can rest and wander freely – mental “frolic” if you will.

When we give our minds the chance to do this, the brain switches into a different mode of engagement, known as the default mode network — the brain network associated with daydreaming, imagination, consolidation of memories, self-referential thought, insight and introspection. The default mode network is extremely important for creativity — which is often why we find that when we turn off our brains for a moment (many scientists refer to getting into a warm shower), activating that default network, we suddenly come up with the insights and ideas that eluded us while we were sitting at our computers racking our brains for solutions.

“The shower is a proxy for the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean,” says Nichols. “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 (or on the water) and it’s like a mini-vacation.”

Rather than switching off, when you’re showering, your brain switches into a different mode — and while the brain is in a more restful state, suddenly you’re able to make those new or unusual connections. The “Eureka” moment comes at last — the insight or solution “feels like it drops out of the sky and into your head,” says Nichols. Thus, the inspiration that water stimulates the mind.

Exercise By or On The Lake is “An Outdoor Gem”.

Exercise in any setting can improve physical and mental health on a number of different levels, and can be an excellent way of reducing stress. But take that same type of workout near or on the water, and the health benefits are exponential to what you'd receive indoors.

“We know that water — being surrounded by blue space — helps us relax, and we know that exercise is good for our bodies and our brains,” says Nichols. “If somebody is experiencing a number of problems that exercise and stress reduction may help with, [water] is a good add-on. Find a river trail and run there, or get on a bike, or row or swim.”

Being outside near water while you’re exercising can give you more of a mental boost than exercising in a crowded, indoor “box” environment with TVs in front of you and people all around. Many people feel intuitively that being in the presence of water provides tangible benefits for their well-being, and as Nichols explains, their instincts are right.

“It’s almost too obvious, and it gets overlooked,” says Nichols. “But the health and neurological benefits of exercise by water are very real.”

Water Is One of Nature’s De-Stresser.

Being around water gives our brains and our senses a rest from overstimulation.

“The sound around us, from an auditory perspective, is simplified. It’s not quiet, but the sound of water is far more simple than the sound of voices or the sound of music or the sound of a city,” Nichols tells the Huffington Post. “And the visual input is simplified. When you stand at the edge of water and look out on the horizon, it’s visually simplified relative to the room you’re sitting in right now, or a city you’re walking through, where you’re taking in millions of pieces of information every second.”

When we’re near, on, in or under water, we get a cognitive break because there’s simply less information coming in. Our brains don’t shut down — they keep working, but in a different way, according to Nichols. “When you have that simplified, quieter ‘blue’ space, your brain is better at a different set of processes,” he says.

Water Induces Mindfulness.

When we’re by or on the water, our brains are held in a state of mild attentiveness. Wallace J. Nichols refers to it as “soft fascination.” In this state, the brain is interested and engaged in the water, taking in sensory input but not distracted by an overload of it, as we might be with the “hard fascination” we experience while watching an action movie, driving a car, focusing on life.

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.

What Changes Your Mind.

It changes the way you view your world – is your lake half full or half empty? Positive perspective and mind set can change your life. In addition, being surrounded by something bigger and greater than ourselves changes our perspective and connects us to a much larger picture. And being around water soothes the mind. While in the restful, contemplative state associated with observing or interacting with water, it’s also common to experience feelings of awe, Nichols’ research has found. The emotion of awe invokes feelings of a connection to something beyond oneself, a sense of the vastness of nature and an attempt to make sense of the experience.

“That switches you from a ‘me’ orientation to a ‘we’ orientation,” says Nichols, citing research findings that feelings of awe can increase our capacity for connection and empathy.

“When you experience that feeling of awe, you get that ‘one with the universe’ feeling,” says Nichols. “You feel connected to yourself, the world around you, and whoever you happen to be with. That puts you in a ‘we’ state of mind.”

Thus, it is no coincidence that many of life’s most ceremonial, “life” moments take place by the water — engagements, weddings and honeymoons, and after earth life rituals overwhelmingly occur in waterside locations.

“We hold important ceremonies by water. Both in life and in death, we gather by water when we can,” says Nichols. 

Water Reduces Depression.

Just hearing or seeing water helps put us into a meditative state, giving us a cognitive break. Life is full of stimuli; hearing or seeing the water is a simpler state of mind and thus, more calming. It gives us more mental clarity and helps reduce stress and or depression. I use water to take individuals out who are experiencing stress, illness or loss in their lives. Our nonprofit, Foundation 1023, takes First Responders on the water who are battling PTS. Another Foundation I support, Flatwater, using water to help mental perspective for individuals battling cancer. Water helps us be more mindful and present while reducing stress and depression.

ps....Did I mention Wallace J. Nichols may be coming to Lake Austin Spa Resort this summer?? This is one excited mermaid!

*Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols

*Huffington Post, February 2016

*Blue Mind Institute, www.bluemind.org