There’s something about being in or around water that does something positive for you, even if you can’t pinpoint it. It turns out, water can be used as a therapy for stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation and feelings of calmness and being at ease. Being surrounded by the ocean, a lake, river, or any other blue space can enhance mental wellness. More people should be aware of all the ways water can help and take advantage.
The ways in which water provides a soothing, calming experience is through the five senses, which are critical to how we perceive the world. This is why and how the sensory effects of water have such an impact on our psyche. The sights, sounds, and smell of water can create a unique state of mind.
Water also gives us a sense of awe, such as when thinking of the vastness of the ocean. This makes us feel as though we’re a part of something bigger, putting our individual superiority to the side and discouraging self-interest in the worst ways. It promotes outward thinking and prosocial behaviors, improving empathy and humility.
Specific therapies such as water-based physical activity like hydrotherapy is the use of water for pain therapy, and can be very useful for certain individuals. For the mental, water can promote relief from anxiety. Activity in the water “releases endorphins; the natural feel good hormones that lead us to experience a greater sense of happiness and wellbeing.” Regular water activity can even “lead to a 30 percent improvement in self-worth, increasing general satisfaction in life.”
https://www.sokyahealth.com/mood/the-science-behind-how-just-being-near-water-can-help-mental-health-even-virtually/
https://www.aquastudiony.com/journal/2019/12/22/how-water-can-improve-your-mental-health
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