Dip a toe in the water, meaning, to tentatively ease into the unknown (circa 1900). When we wrote the title of this week’s summer challenge goal, we intended for everyone to spend a little time near a body of water before heading back to school. You don’t actually have to dive in, but be near water and history proves that healing happens – like it or not.
It’s an age old practice. At the turn of the 20th century doctors ordered seaside stays or hot springs healing retreats for all kinds of aliments. In recent years science has begun its favorite task of assembling empirical evidence for such age-old practices.
So what is it about bodies of water that cures? Is it the salty, sticky sea air? That pungent yet seaweedy sweet humidity that we all inhale upon reaching the pier? Flowers seem to grow better in such environments, why wouldn’t we? Is it the ripple of the waves and color of that blue-green soup that arcs and sways around us?
Or is it the twinkle of the sun (or moon) that bounces off the surface and speaks to our dreams?
The answer is yes and so much more. That evidence of which we speak doesn’t so much answer the question of how bodies of water work their magic but rather what they do. Robust studies are now showing simply being near water and watching it reduces blood pressure, calms nerves and improves mood dramatically. And even a simple fish tank helps – but of course the bigger the better.
A couple of small, promising Japanese studies show that the ionization of the air near the water’s edge also helps change health markers for the better, acting a bit like probiotics from trees and other greenery in nature. And, certainly the combination of water and green space packs a one-two punch to bacteria and stress.
Large European studies have shown that photos and green space increase people’s health. Since 87% of the people in the UK live in packed urban areas, parks have become more important than ever. Add in the use of even simple water features and they’re finding that those increases explode.
Once again, what we know to be intuitively true, we’re now, quite literally, dipping our toe in the water on the reasoned and pragmatic facts: blue space matters.
Go forth! Find yourself a water feature and soak it up this week. It’s especially important as you dip your toe into the new year and begin school with a carefree, open mind. Breath in that ionized air and relax to the wonderful notion of good possibilities flowing ahead.
Good luck all you back-to-schoolers! Hears to hoping your year goes swimmingly! (See what we did there?)
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
See you on the PATH Ahead,
The PATH Team.
