By Staff Writer: Caitlin Daugherty
It’s a quiet fall afternoon, the leaves are just turning brilliant shades of yellow and red, and the wind is crisp and sharp as it blows around you. You look over to your right and see a sparkling rushing river. Just the sound of the moving water relaxes you and you immediately feel a sense of ease. Why is this?
Blue spaces, or bodies of water, can have many benefits to the weary and tired mind. Just being near rushing water can significantly reduce stress and provide physiological advantages. The sight of water has been documented in some therapeutic practices to calm the mind and provide clarity to anxious patients. Green spaces, or bodies of natural flora, have been documented extensively to help with anxiety and there is more research coming out in favor of blue spaces as well. Being more connected with nature in any capacity can greatly help with anxiety and depression.
Touching water much like touching grass can have significant benefits to a stressed-out college student. The next time you are planning on a day out, try and visit a lake, pond, or river to fish, swim or just sit and stare at the water. You would be amazed at how much it could help.