In Focus: Calming water
Meadow Run is a creek that flows into the Youghiogheny River. This creek has carved natural water slides out of the stream’s sandstone rock bed. A youngster navigates his way down the water slides at Ohiopyle State Park in this 2018 file photo.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Kate Gornick of Pittsburgh relaxes to the slower waves in Florida that produce a sense of mental tranquility.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Kate Gornick of Pittsburgh relaxes to the slower waves in Florida that produce a sense of mental tranquility.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Being around water gives our brains and our senses a rest from overstimulation. A swimmer stands in the waves at Ocean City, Maryland.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Swimming often changes more active brainwaves to theta brainwaves, which aid in healing. Ava Gornick, 5, of Pittsburgh, swims in a pool.
Water – all life is dependent upon it.
Almost 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by it, and about 75 percent of our body is composed of it. Water is the primary building block of the cells in our body, which is made up of about 80 percent of water.
But there is a much deeper attraction,or longing, to be near water. Whether in a soothing bath or shower or casting a line on a lake, swimming in a backyard pool or sitting in the surf at the beach – we feel it deep in our being.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter A beach-goer walks along the shoreline at Caspersen Beach in Venice, Florida. In the United States, the most popular summer vacations are trips to the beach.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
A beach-goer walks along the shoreline at Caspersen Beach in Venice, Florida. In the United States, the most popular summer vacations are trips to the beach.
Wallace Nichole, a marine biologist, coined the term “Blue Mind” and believes that we all have it. A Blue Mind is describe as a mildly meditative state with feelings of peacefulness, unity and a sense of well-being. It’s also called a state of water-associated peace when we are near, on, or under water.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Swimming stimulates the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids and reduces brain stress and anxiety, even for toddlers. Water play also introduces early concepts of math and science to children. Carol Wallace of Pittsburgh plays in a pool with her niece, Grace Gornick, 20 months.
Neurologists and psychologists from around the world have conducted brain imagining studies to show the effects that water has on the human brain. The study proves that the brain is flooded with hormones called dopamine and oxytocin, which produce good feelings. Water reduces stress, partly by balancing the flux between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
When we are close to water, we are connecting with something is larger than ourselves.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Our brains are able to solve problems better when we are free from stimulation and close to water.