Why we love rivers - and why they're essential to our wellbeing
"When you protect your water, it protects you back. Change can feel abstract to most people. But by connecting healthy oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes to our mental health, I think we nudge our relationship with and protection of water forward, one splash at a time." Wallace J. Nichols
For many of us, our favorite places and memories revolve around water. Memories of swimming or boating in lakes, wading out to cast a fishing line, hiking to waterfalls, or waves crashing on a beach instantly bring a glimmer of happiness. Most of our vacations and trips revolve around water in some way; there is something in us that gravitates towards water to find relaxation and peace of mind.
Research has found this to be almost universally true. Across cultures, languages, and communities, humans experience a sense of peace and well-being when near, in, or on water. What is it, exactly, that causes this phenomenon?
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, wildlife ecologist and evolutionary biologist, has been intrigued by this question for years. In 2017, Nichols published a book called “Blue Mind”, that explores the relationship between our neurobiology and water. In his book, he compiled years of research that show that being near, in, on, or underwater has a profound effect on our brain function.
According to Nichol’s research, when we are near or in water, our neurochemistry changes. Our brains have a subconscious and instinctual positive physical response to being near or in water that has a measurable impact on our brain chemistry. While we may recognize that we feel emotional benefits when near water, the neurobiological response we experience is subconscious, occurring in some of the most ‘primal’ parts of our brain.
The effect is significant. Being near water can cause our brain function to recalibrate to a state similar to meditation. Our cortisol (stress hormone), heart rate, and breathing rate decrease, resulting in a sense of stability and peacefulness. Water reduces anxiety and stress, boosts creativity, and helps us sleep better. It even aids in improving our conversations and how we feel in our relationships. Even the sound of water can have a powerful impact on our health and mentality; it can reduce stress hormones significantly enough to reduce pain response.
Nichol’s theorizes that this positive neurological and psychological response to water has evolved from our most primitive survival instincts, encouraging us to seek out and remain bodies of water. Considering water is essential for life, it makes sense that our biology would give us a psychological need for it as well.
Nichols is not the only researcher to recognize and explore this connection. In 2011, the University of Sussex spearheaded research on the impacts of the environment on happiness. Of the individuals in the study group, those who lived in natural landscapes, such as woodlands, mountains, or farms, consistently demonstrated a slightly higher level of happiness than those that did not. However, those who live near water overwhelmingly outperformed people who live in other environments. Marine and aquatic environments impacted happiness at a surprisingly high rate, and researchers found this trend consistently across regions and cultures.
Research published in 2019 showed that being in nature not only improves our emotional wellbeing, but also improves focus, reduces fatigue, and increases cognitive function. This was confirmed by another group of researchers a few months later. They conducted research using EEGs and MRI to measure the impact of being in nature, or simply viewing images of nature, has on the brain. The results showed that nature has a profound effect on our emotions. Nature activates the parts of our brain that grant us self-awareness and empathy. The presence of water, however, significantly amplifies the impact.
The mechanisms behind the impact of water on our minds and health may not be fully understood, but the benefits are well documented. Water is increasingly being incorporated into different types of therapies and treatments. Water-based therapies have shown to help manage addiction, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other emotional and psychological conditions. The more we understand about how water can impact how our brains are wired and our experiences, the more ways we will find to use water for healing and wellbeing.
This research emphasizes what all of us already know: we love rivers. Now, science is helping us understand why we love them so much, and that our love for rivers is hardwired into our biology.
The stressors, adjustments, and changes of this year have further highlighted how important our mental and emotional wellbeing is to our lives, communities, and society. We are only beginning to understand how water impacts our minds and bodies, but even so, research consistently demonstrates that it is overwhelmingly positive - and good for us. Water is integral to our mental and emotional wellbeing, and if we understand how it impacts us, it can become a powerful tool.
However, this also means that when we lose the health of our rivers and waterways, we lose invaluable mental and emotional health resources. Clean water is essential for our physical needs; but healthy and pristine rivers, lakes and oceans are essential for our mental and emotional needs. As we continue to grow in our understanding of the connection between our brains, neurobiology, and the presence of water, it will only add to the vast number of reasons why we need to protect and appropriately manage our waters.
Learn More:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201407/mind-your-body-the-brain-aquatic
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2017/11/13/blue-mind/857903001/