there’s something in the water…

There is something about water that we all seem to gravitate towards. We could simply put it down to the fact that we are made up of such a large percentage of water ourselves, but I feel it goes deeper. Whether it is the wild ocean, a calm bay, a babbling brook, rock pools, a stream, waterfalls, or a soak in the bathtub, most of us are drawn to be beside, or immersed in water as often as we can.

Even for those who don’t want to swim, water can still bring a sense of peace and calm just by watching it, or listening to rain, or running water, so much so that quite often meditation apps and (for us who know what CDs are) CDs often contain the sounds of waterfalls, rain, the ocean or a stream. It relaxes us and for me personally being beside water, or swimming I feel so much less stress in my body. I could watch the wintertime wild waves, relax in a pool, or explore rock pools for hours. It is like time stands still, a sense of peace, and also inner strength washes over me.

I know not everyone is as in love with water as me, but I am confident that I am far from alone! The prices of water front properties alone can prove my point. Growing up I was more obsessed with being in water than my siblings, I was what everyone referred to as the water baby. When others were turning blue from the cold I couldn’t understand how they wanted to get out! My love of water along with my very active imagination kept me amused for hours on end. My dad shared my love of water, my mum preferred to sun bake and read a book.

As a child my mother was forced to learn to swim in the ocean in the middle of winter, she was only tiny and was knocked about by the waves, so she had a fear of swimming for a long time. Still even though my mum didn’t want to swim she loved being by the water and we spent every summer holidays at the beach, over Easter we would camp by a river and we had a backyard pool.

When it comes to stress I think most of us are soothed by nature, I have written previously about our need to connect with the earth, and how important it is to expose ourselves to nature. Not all of us have access to the beach each day, or a forest to explore, but getting closer to nature in any way will help reduce your stress levels. If you google it I have no doubt you will come across much research on how being in nature can even positively affect our blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety levels and overall health.

Here are a few ideas on how to get closer with nature.

1. Jumping in puddles, bring out your inner child, pop on your waterproof boots and join your children for some splashing fun.
2. If you are lucky enough to live close to a stream, river or beach spend as much time as you can visiting these places. Meditate there, walk there, take your dog, swim, play, or just sit and reflect.
3. Take a luxurious bath once a week, add bubbles, or a bath bomb, dim the lights or use candle light, play some relaxing music.
4. Next time it rains stop and listen to the sound it makes against your windows, or on your roof. If it is raining on a beautiful day then why not stand in the rain and let it wash over you.
5. Take off your shoes, dip your feet into water, or walk bare foot on wet grass, or sand, feel yourself at one with the Earth.
6. Listen to water sounds, or mediate with water based mediation.
7. If you can afford it, try to make an annual trip to the beach, a river or somewhere that you can hike to a waterfall. There are so many options for varying budgets, try and start saving what you can spare, even if it is a weekend getaway it will leave you so refreshed!
8. Explore rock pools. If you are lucky enough to have rock pools near by that are large enough to swim in when the tide is out then I highly recommend getting your snorkel on and exploring! If they are little rock pools just enjoy looking in them and seeing how magical nature is.
9. Learn to scuba dive, there is a whole other world under the water, and it is an incredible one!
10. Have fun with water play with your children, grab containers of different sizes, tip and pour, stand at different heights to hear how the water dropping makes different sounds.
11. If you have some spare room in your yard add a pond of shallow water, plant it out, add rocks and soon you’ll not only have water close by, you will also have a safe little haven for some little creatures to call home.
12. Learn to swim (my mum finally went back for lessons at age 60 so she could finally enjoy the water with her Grandkids). It is never too late to overcome fears, or learn a new skill. Swimming is gentle on your body, it is great for your health physically and mentally, and it opens up lots of new possibilities.

Thanks for reading. Love, Kylie

Featured Image: Snapwire. Pexels.