Time by the water benefits health

Research has demonstrated for a long time that spending time outdoors positively affects your health. Recent studies have added that being near water bodies makes us calmer and healthier.

Think about the sensation when you arrive at a lake or beach, get out of the car, breathe in the fresh air, and hear the water's sounds?

This feeling isn't just because you’re on vacation. Water helps you breathe more deeply, relax your muscles, and slow your brainwaves, mimicking the water's gentle flow.

These “blue environments,” distinct from “blue zones,” are extensively researched at the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK.

Being near water promotes physical activity, enhances overall fitness and well-being, and is linked to lowering rates of diabetes and other obesity-related diseases.

Additionally, time spent close to water can reduce heart rate, lower stress hormones, and improve mental health.

Studies show that people consistently prefer natural environments (rivers, lakes, oceans) over attractive urban settings.

Urban landscapes featuring water elements (like rivers or fountains) are significantly more popular than those without.

Health differences between coastal and inland communities are especially apparent among low-income individuals who might not have the means to visit the coast.

This could explain why four out of five “blue zones” identified by Dan Buettner are islands.

Why Being Near Water is Healthy

Water stimulates all five senses, offering a fully immersive experience. We feel its cool touch, taste its saltiness, smell the seaweed, hear the waves, and see the sunlight reflecting off the surface.

Water has a calming effect on our nervous system, triggering the parasympathetic nervous system to lower heart rates and blood pressure, which promotes relaxation. Even drinking a glass of water can foster relaxation and wellness.

The color blue, which is often associated with water, has therapeutic effects. The blue light waves can further enhance relaxation, and a blue sky adds to this calming effect.

Like “white noise” used to help infants sleep, “pink noise” from natural sounds is smooth, soothing, and continuous, reducing brain wave activity. Think about how relaxing a nap on a beach can be.

Water taps into our inner biophilia. Biologist Edward Wilson’s theory of “biophilia” suggests that humans have an innate bond with nature.

Natural environments like the savannahs and shorelines from where our species originated return us to simpler times.

Water immersion helps balance hormones. When you swim or float, your body sends signals to balance stress hormones, similar to the effects of meditation or relaxation.

Engaging in water activities stimulates endorphins. Whether swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, walking the shore, or building sandcastles, these activities trigger endorphins, the natural chemicals linked to happiness, pain management, and overall well-being.

Outdoor Well-Being

Apart from the benefits of being near water, simply being outdoors promotes health and wellness:

Nature’s Vitamin D: Research suggests that vitamin D from sunlight may prevent and heal diseases like osteoporosis, some cancers, and heart disease. Spending time outdoors in the sun is a fun way to get adequate vitamin D.

Increased Activity Levels: While gym workouts are valuable, spending time indoors is often linked to sedentary behavior, which is associated with obesity, particularly in children.

Improved Mental Health: Light affects mood, so getting outdoors is vital for mental health unless you live in a glass house or light box.

Enhanced Concentration: Richard Louv, in his book “Last Child in the Woods,” introduced "nature-deficit disorder," a theory supported by research showing that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder concentrate better when they are outdoors.

Better Health and Healing: University of Pittsburgh researchers found that patients recovering from surgery had faster recoveries with less pain and shorter hospital stays when exposed to natural light.

Improved Breathing: In general, fresh air is beneficial for breathing. Despite high pollen counts causing allergy issues, taking allergy medicine to enjoy the outdoors might be better than staying inside.

Engaging with nature, especially near water, offers profound benefits that enhance both physical and mental health.

Source: republicanherald

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.