A Rejuvenating Water Holiday

As I’ve said before, the ocean is my favourite place to visit when I have a free moment – simply because it makes me feel happier, less stressed and more connected to the world. What is it about large bodies of water that immediately elevate the chances of a vacation being more successful say, then a visit to an urban jungle? On asking Google why folks like to take holidays near water I found a book written with that question in mind: Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace J. Nichols. If a book seems impossible to fit into your schedule here’s an article breaking it down to 5 main points. And if you want to read an excerpt to see what this marine biologist has to say about loving water – dive in.

My best memories often involve water: being part of a swim team, tubing down the Ozark, ocean dips: Durban, Pensacola, Tropea, and Oahu. What stands out in these memories is the fun factor. Sure, any body of water can be unpredictable in temperature, current-strength and underwater critter dwellers, but if you educate yourself on how to deal with rip currents and jellyfish stings, then those fears can be handled and you just dive in–there’s fun to be had. If the ocean is too far away how about a lake, a stream, a crick, uhm, a local pool, hey – a bath! Sometimes a girl’s body just wants to be fully immersed, to listen underwater to the pounding of her heart – and to blow bubbles out her nose.