The first card in my very first city deck showcases a waterfront walkway in a dense downtown setting. The customers expecting more of a hiking guide on quiet, secluded trails were understandably confused.
But one of my goals with The GO Deck is to shift perception on what people see as "nature." I hope the places I feature in my city decks show folks that nature is everywhere (even in downtown environments), and that whether you are walking through the woods, up a mountain, or along a paved, waterfront walkway, you are experiencing nature.
And this brings me to Blue Mind. This book reinforced to me that you don't have to travel far away from the city to experience the health benefits of nature. In this case, you simply have to seek out water.
In Blue Mind, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols explores the fascinating relationship between water and human well-being. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, biology, and personal stories, Nichols argues that our brains and bodies are uniquely wired to respond positively to water.
The result is a book that helps explain why so many of us instinctively seek out oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and waterfront trails when we need to recharge.
The Big Idea
Nichols introduces the concept of the "Blue Mind"—a mildly meditative state characterized by calmness, creativity, connection, and reduced stress.
According to Nichols, being in, on, under, or near water can help shift us away from what he calls "Red Mind," a state associated with stress, anxiety, overstimulation, and mental fatigue.
Unfortunately, most of us spend a significant portion of our lives in Red Mind.
When we juggle work, family responsibilities, notifications, deadlines, traffic, and endless streams of information, our attention is constantly being pulled in multiple directions.
Nichols argues that water provides an antidote. It helps create the mental conditions that allow us to think more clearly, feel calmer, and reconnect with ourselves.
*Read my review of Nature and the Mind by Dr. Marc Berman for more on this.
Why Water Captures Our Attention
One of the most interesting ideas in the book is that water engages our attention differently than many other environments.
The movement of waves, reflections on the surface, changing colors, and rhythmic sounds are interesting enough to hold our attention without overwhelming it. And this allows the brain to relax.
Instead of constantly filtering information and responding to demands, we can simply observe, and that experience feels effortless. Anyone who has lost track of time while watching the ocean or sitting beside a lake has likely experienced this firsthand.
Water and Stress Reduction
A major theme throughout Blue Mind is water's ability to help us recover from stress.
Nichols reviews research suggesting that time spent near water is associated with lower stress levels, improved mood, and greater feelings of well-being.
While many natural environments provide these benefits, water seems to have a particularly powerful effect. The sounds of waves, flowing streams, and rainfall can activate relaxation responses in the body, and even visual exposure to water can create feelings of calm.
Creativity, Reflection, and Mental Clarity
The book also explores water's relationship with creativity.
Many artists, writers, scientists, and entrepreneurs describe having some of their best ideas while spending time near water. Nichols suggests that water creates an ideal environment for reflection.
When our minds are less occupied by stress and distractions, we gain space to think, imagine, and make connections between ideas.
Reading this section reminded me of how often solutions to difficult problems arrive when I'm on a walk along the bay—not when I'm staring at a screen trying to force an answer.
Water Creates Connection
Another aspect of Blue Mind that stood out to me is the role water plays in human connection.
Many of our favorite memories happen around water, like:
- Family vacations at the beach
- Fishing trips with grandparents
- Kayaking with friends
- Watching a sunset over the ocean with your significant other
Water often serves as the backdrop for meaningful experiences and relationships, and perhaps that's one reason we feel so drawn to it.
It's not just the water itself; it's the memories, emotions, and connections that become attached to those places.
My Takeaway
As I read Blue Mind, I started noticing more how I felt after walks or jogs by the water. I often leave the Embarcadero, Mission Bay, and Lake Miramar (to name a few of my favorite waterfront spots in San Diego) less stressed and calmer. And coincidentally, these are my go-to spots to take family or out-of-town guests to savor the city and reconnect after months (sometimes years) apart.
And this reminded me that you don't have to travel far from your home to experience the restorative power of nature...or as in this case, water. Best of all, you may discover that the benefits go far beyond the view.
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