Are you in need of a weekend boating trip but feel like you are too busy? Get ready to pack your bags and cash in those sick, vacation and emotional wellness days: science is here to save the day.
That’s right; research now shows that boating really is good for you.
In his book Blue Mind, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols explores the influence that water has on our overall happiness.
“We now know, thanks to science, that the mere sight and sound of water promotes wellness by lowering cortisol, increasing serotonin and inducing relaxation … It only makes sense that being on a boat is one of the best ways to access the wellness benefits of the water,” Nichols said in an interview with Discoverboating.com.
“Blue mind” is a term that describes “the mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, or under water. It’s the antidote to what we refer to as ‘red mind,’ which is the anxious, over-connected and over-stimulated state that defines the new normal of modern life,” Nichols told USA Today.
And let’s face it, “red-mind” is something we are all guilty of falling into at one time or another, whether it be from trying to finish a new project before the deadline, getting the kids to school and their extracurricular activities on time or keeping up with all of your friends’ and colleges’ exciting updates on Facebook.
Long periods of hyperactivity, little sleep, and constant stimulation take a toll on our mental health, which ultimately influences our creativity, our productivity, and our relationships.
So do yourself a favor and set aside time to visit one of your favorite lakes sometime soon. Whether you spend your time reading your favorite book on the beautiful Lake Powell or fishing for trout on Lake Michigan, your mind, body and work will thank you later.
