Living in the stressful modern era, most of us usually look for sources of relaxation, and it's no secret that viewing nature and being outdoors can be pleasant and restorative. Spending time in nature is linked to improvements in mental health, mood, emotional well – being, and cognitive benefits. However, the more surprising thing is that, according to new research, viewing water may be a better environment for relaxation than green areas with grass and trees.

In a recent article, Harvard psychologist Adam Grant discussed a remarkable 2024 study that he came across, showing that people who viewed water for less than two minutes had reduced blood pressure compared to people who viewed green areas and trees.

So why are nature's blue spaces more relaxing than green ones? According to the original authors of the study, the reason might be related to the process of our evolution. For early humans who have to work hard to survive day by day, the lack of water has always been a major challenge, as it posed a direct threat to life, leading to heightened levels of stress, increases in blood pressure and cardiac stress. Therefore, successfully detecting water or simply just looking at it can provide a sense of great relief.

Being in nature can help you re – invigorate your body, mind, and spirit, offering moments of awe, calm, and relaxation. And now we are learning that bodies of water may bring even greater relaxation. So, whether it's a river, lake, or ocean, it might be time to go outside and find the nearest blue space to experience the effects for yourself!
(Adapted from psychologytoday.com)