FLX WELLNESS: Water Rx: Being Near Water Improves Overall Health and Wellbeing
This time of year I am reminded why we are so lucky to live here: the Finger Lakes! From Conesus to Otisco, we are surrounded by natural, beautiful water.
Where I live, I can drive less than an hour in any direction and be at one of our 11 amazing lakes that attract people from all over the world. But what is it about these lakes — or any lake, ocean, or waterfall — that draws people? It’s simple: plain old water. Water has a profound positive effect on our spiritual, physical, and emotional health, as it is an amazing source of renewal and healing.
I grew up going to my grandparents’ home on Cayuga Lake. As a child, I couldn’t quite understand why I was drawn, intensely, to swimming and floating for hours or just staring at the water. Sleeping at night with the windows open, I could hear the water gently lapping on the shore, a sound that — instantly — put my young nervous system at ease and helped me slip into a peaceful slumber.
Living on the lake is the reason I believe my grandparents lived well into their 90s with amazing health and vitality. Water is a natural “drug” that we need, not only to drink for survival, but in which to immerse ourselves, absorb through all of our senses, and to be in awe.
If you are lucky enough to have a lake home or oceanfront property, you know exactly what I mean. Being near the water holds a certain magic that makes us feel at home, at peace, and completely balanced. Spending just a few hours near the water can make us feel refreshed, rejuvenated, calmer, and happier.
I can tell you that I always feel an internal change and healing after being in and near the water. The way a magnet pulls toward metal, I am drawn to the water. This innate pull has been with me since I can remember, and I now understand why. Water is a healing medicine.
Our bodies contain up to 75% water (depending on our age), so it makes sense that we feel such an attraction and bond to it. Here are some reasons water benefits our health, restores balance in our bodies, and makes us feel so good:
Provides relaxation of our nervous system. Drinking a glass of water, swimming, or watching the waves triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our “rest and digest” response. Our heart rate and blood pressure decrease, our bodies relax, digestion is stimulated, and we are returned to homeostasis.
Improves our mental health. The color blue and the sound of waves produce a calming and relaxing effect in the body, and it also energizes the body. Water increases our well-being and happiness, promoting mental and emotional relief. Being near water can reduce depression, stress, and anxiety.
Improves our physical health. Exercise and physical activities in the water can help to build muscle and bone strength, increase endurance, and improve cardiovascular health. Performing exercises and movement in the water can help to alleviate pain and pressure from our joints, which typical land exercises may induce. Being outside in the water has the added benefit of getting that extra vitamin D, which is vital for strengthening and protecting our immune systems and fighting disease.
Improves lifestyle and quality of life. Living and being near water makes us more likely to take advantage of the water and engage in healthier activities such as boating, walking, paddleboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Engaging in outside activities improves our overall health and vitality. Research shows that water can also charge the air with negative ions, which can help our bodies absorb oxygen more easily, increase circulation, and improve our moods.
Decreases stress and balances our hormones. Water can level out our hormones by managing catecholamines and stress hormones. These hormones are responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Soaking up the natural landscape and listening to the gentle waves signals a physiological change in the body, similar to being relaxed or meditating, which can help to decrease stress. Being around water produces a calming effect in our brains, allowing us to focus on the present moment, as we experience water with all our senses. When we are grounded in the present, not thinking about the past or worrying about the future, we free up our mind space to enter a state of deep focus and renewed clarity. This can help improve our mindset, find creative solutions for problems, and give inspiration for new ideas.
The uplifting and healing effect that water has on our spirits, minds, and bodies is incredible. Sitting on the lakeshore at 6 a.m., watching the sun rise, its rays glistening over the gentle waves until dusk, when the sun sinks beyond the horizon, swimming or floating, can provide immense healing and a sense of total tranquility found nowhere else.
Lucky for us, we are only a few minutes drive away from total serenity.
Part of living a thriving life is “diving in” and immersing ourselves in experiences we enjoy that inspire and lift us up, and connect to nature. I can think of no better way than to dive into one of our lakes. Make it a summer goal to visit one or more of our amazing lakes, soak in the beauty and magic of the water, and let me know how much better you feel.
