The last several years in America have not only tried many souls but also fostered restless minds. While pharmaceuticals, exercise, better diet and sleep have their place, another tonic is often overlooked: water.
Qualitatively, we know the presence of water — from the merest dribble of a stream to a roaring Lake Huron — has a little magic. It calms us, helps us focus, reminds us that we are connected to creation through the water in us.
In the book Blue Mind, biologist Wallace Nichols catalogued the quantitative proof. Research shows that being near, in or on water lowers stress, provides a sense of well-being, and lowers the heart and breathing rate. In fact, there’s an overwhelming amount of science supporting the claim.
This afternoon I took a stroll beside a small stream shining in the sun and went from perturbed to peaceful. It didn’t cost a dime. In Michigan, we are surrounded by the world’s largest lakes — and therefore the world’s largest pool of spiritual and physical refreshment.
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