A summer vacation by the water in Michigan is something many Michiganders have experienced. Whether visiting Grammy’s Cottage in Northern Michigan, taking a day trip to the Irish Hills for a swim or picnic, or taking a stroll on the beach at Sterling State Park in Monroe, one can find oneself under the influence of what I now know as the “blue spirit.”
This summer I had the opportunity to spend extended periods of time near the water. There is something really peaceful about being near the water, whether you are paddling on a lake, swimming in the sun, or watching a stunning sunset. Does being around the water all the time actually reduce my stress and anxiety? I definitely feel less stressed. I did a little research.
The best-selling book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Reveals How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Makes You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace Nichols presents scientific evidence that proximity to bodies of water contributes to mental health and happiness. As an avid traveler, Nichols realized that the ocean gave him a sense of calm. Even activities on the water evoked that feeling. An avid diver, Nichols came home from these trips rested and relaxed.
I ponder this information as I watch a family of ducks swimming by our dock, and I wonder how they can stay in such perfect formation. Where will they sleep tonight, and when will mom send them off to fend for themselves? I know these questions are just a Google search away, but it’s something I’d rather ponder than know the final answer. Watching the ducks puts me in a meditative state, and I can feel my breathing slowing as I just sit and watch.
According to Blue Mind, aquatic therapists are increasingly using water as a treatment for PTSD, addiction, anxiety disorders, autism and more. They’ve found that being near water makes us more creative and stimulates conversation. How many romantic movies are set on a beach? How many marriage proposals have been made on the railing of a cruise ship? People pay a high premium for a room with a water view. Water is the perfect backdrop for romance.
I think of nothing but the sights and sounds that surround me as I paddle in my blue state of mind. My kayak glides across the lake as the call of a loon rings out in the distance. I have found that loons are elusive animals that come to the water’s surface for brief periods of time. I keep an eye out for a sighting, but today I have no luck. As I reach the opposite forest-lined shore, I look for the iridescent sheen of a turtle shell basking on driftwood. My “blue mind” has counteracted my “red mind,” which Nichols describes as the anxious, overstimulated state of modern life. I am in the moment
The science behind this phenomenon is that large bodies of water release negatively charged ions into the environment. These ions promote serotonin production in the brain, which improves our mood. Wallace explains: “Because bodies of water change and remain the same at the same time, we experience both pleasant familiarity and stimulating novelty, regularity without monotony.” In other words, our brains are stimulated by moving bodies of water, and this response is good for short- and long-term mental health.
Fortunately, most of Michigan is accessible by car from a small lake or one of the Great Lakes that surround our state. Take your lunch to Sterling State Park and take a mental vacation. Walk along the pond where the lotuses bloom, the eagles fly, and the swans swim silently in the water. Reconnect with the water and experience “Blue Mind” for yourself.
— Mary Strevel is a member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group dedicated to the common good. She can be reached at [email protected].
