Simply being in nature may be one of the best — and most accessible — ways to boost your mental health. And being around water has particular benefits, research shows.
“If you are in a body of water, your internal state just becomes calm,” Dr. Natalie Azar, NBC News medical contributor, said on the 3rd Hour of TODAY. "It's something that I think we've all experienced, but never we've never really been intentional about."
Being near water boosts mental health
Being in or near water can provide benefits for mental well-being in a few different ways.
- It creates a sense of awe. Being around water gives us a sense of "something greater than ourselves," Azar explained. "And it expands your mind a little."
- It provides soothing sensory experiences. The sound, smell and sight of a body of water can be very soothing, Azar said. And, if it reminds you of something familiar, like the salty sea air you remember from childhood, that can also bring on a calming, positive state of mind.
- It facilitates mindfulness and reflection. "Water is dynamic. It has different colors. It's moving. And so your attention is on that rather than all the noise out there," Azar said. "Also, floating allows your body to rest, and it holds our attention."
Recent research suggests there really are benefits to being near water, or in what experts call "blue spaces." For instance, a study published in July in Scientific Reports found that people who lived near blue spaces had lower risks for mental health issues.
And in another study, published last year in the same journal, researchers surveyed people in 18 countries. Their results showed that those who visited blue spaces more frequently also reported less mental distress and better overall well-being.
Being in nature isn't a substitute for therapy or medication, of course. But it can be a surprisingly effective way to feel calmer.
You don't need to be physically there to get the benefits
If you're in an area that doesn't have a natural body of water around, that's OK. "Urban water counts," Azar said, and that includes rivers, canals and fountains, as well as pools and bathtubs.
But if getting to a body of water is a challenge, know that you can get some of the benefits from just listening to or watching videos of water, Azar said. "You only need maybe up to two hours a week," she explained. "So a couple of minutes every day of that exposure can make a real difference."
