Water, Water Everywhere
Water literally is almost everywhere. The world is comprised of over 70% water, the human body is 60% water and even our brains are made up of 80% water.
The human body as a whole is almost the same density as water, which allows us to float. In its mineral composition, the water in our cells is comparable to that found in the sea.
It’s no wonder we feel drawn to being in, under or near the water. It is one of the most essential elements in nature and harnesses vital life-force energy. It’s extreme power exists in several forms including healing and therapeutic. Sea water in particular has very positive effects on our bodies and minds. Author, Wallace J. Nichols describes these effects in his book ‘Blue Mind’ and offers a greater understanding of and motivation to protect this amazing element.
Blue Mind, a mildly meditative state characterised by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment. It is inspired by water and elements associated with water, from the colour blue to the words we use to describe the sensations associated with immersion.
WJ Nichols
Sea Seeking
For centuries man has felt the power of the sea. In the beginning it created an aversion but eventually evolved into an attraction or affinity. Over time man has come to seek cleansing, refuge, and even medicinal or healing properties from the sea. Instinctually we are enchanted by the elements. We crave nature immersion for its mesmerising and meditative effects and satisfy this craving with walks on the beach, listening to waves, and staring at moving water.
Nichols describes that through our ancient ancestors’ evolution from water we have inherited an ingrained “biophilia” or “instinctive bond with nature and the living organisms we share our planet with”. We spend 9 months in a ‘watery environment’ in our mother’s womb creating an innate relationship with water and thus a sea-seeking behaviour. Humans have always sought to be near water. We are inspired and restored by it. Instinctively we know that being by water makes us healthier, happier, reduces stress and brings us peace.
Research shows that the amount of happiness we experience spreads outward, affecting not just the people we know but also the friends of their friends as well (or three degrees of the famous six degrees of separation). Happy people demonstrate better cognition and attention, make better decisions, take better care of themselves, and are better friends, colleagues, neighbours, spouses, parents, and citizens. Blue Mind isn’t just about smiling when you’re near the water; it’s about smiling everywhere.
WJ Nichols
Vitamin Sea: Signs of Deficiency, Treatments & Health Benefits
For overall well-being it is essential to maintain healthy levels of Vitamin Sea or at least expose yourself to a healthy dose as often as possible.
Signs of Deficiency
A lack of Vitamin Sea can present several symptoms including stress, anxiety, technological exile from the natural world, professional suffocation, etc.
Too many of us live overwhelmed—suffocated by work, personal conflicts, the intrusion of technology and media. Trying to do everything, we end up stressed about almost anything. We check our voice mail at midnight, our e-mail at dawn, and spend the time in between bouncing from website to website, viral video to viral video. Perpetually exhausted, we make bad decisions at work, at home, on the playing field, and behind the wheel.
WJ Nichols
Treatments
Another interesting fact around seawater is that human blood plasma is 98% identical. When immersed in warm seawater the body absorbs minerals it needs through the skin. The therapeutic use of seawater is known as Thalassotherapy and is used to treat many things from asthma, osteoporosis, and depression to skin diseases, post pregnancy disorders and fatal infections. Even swimming in seawater can impact muscles and nerve cells as well as increase circulation and emotional health while adding years to your life. (Fractal Enlightenment)
Health Benefits
The positive health effects of seawater exposure are almost endless. A “Blue Mind” has biological, neurological and sociological impacts. It gives us energy (hydraulic), hydration, invigoration and mental refreshment. Apart from that, we gain delight, inspiration, consultation and feelings of awe, peace and joy. Nichols states 6 important benefits of water:
- gives our brains a rest
- induces a meditative state
- inspires compassion
- inspires us to connect
- induces creativity
- exercise in or by is good for our bodies & brains
Seawater restores physical, mental and emotional well-being – it strengthens the body against viruses, low defences, bacteria and pathogens.
It is a great way to induce deep relaxation, good sleep, cognitive development and creativity. But among the most important benefits of seawater exposure is it’s ability to assist the body’s capacity to absorb more oxygen and counteract our overexposure to unhealthy free radicals. The more time we spend using modern technological devices the more unhealthy free radicals we are exposed to. Seawater is charged with healthy negative ions that battle the free radicals we and prevent them eroding our natural energy.
Protect & Harness
Now more than ever it is essential that we commit to honouring and protecting this amazing source of healing, rejuvenating and energising power. Our oceans and seas need us to take better care if we want to continue to enjoy their beauty and magnificence. We must become more mindful of how much we dispose and how we dispose of indecomposable waste to prevent further pollution of our Ocean Planet. Join a beach or reef clean up near you and help keep our beaches and reefs trash free.
The addition of more water time into our lives allows us to harness the power of the sea.
Water’s amazing influence does not mean that it displaces other concerted efforts to reach a mindful state; rather, it adds to, enhances, and expands.
WJ Nichols
Take advantage of opportunities that offer plenty of access to and activities in, on or near the water. Ceningan Resort is a great place to visit for more water time. Direct or easy access to swim, surf, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, paddle-board or even walk or cycle along the sea.
Leave a Reply