Happy Friday everybody! I hope you have wonderful plans for the weekend!
Water-we all need it to survive. We like to play in it, whether it’s a cup of water or a vast ocean of it.
If you stopped by my post yesterday, I talked about the color green and the effects it can have on us. So, tonight’s post is about water and the effects it can have on us.
I remember some years ago when we lived in Colorado. I had to have my first root canal. I didn’t know what to expect as I was a ‘Crest Toothpaste Kid’ and hadn’t had any cavities until adulthood. Turns out my tooth’s root was calcified. The dentist had to put some type of stuff in there to soften or to make filling it possible. This process took almost 2 months with weekly trips to the office. It didn’t help it was also infected. Since I’d never had any dentistry done, I took my ‘discman’ and headphones with me. I had a disc recording of the ocean waves. Between that and the laughing gas, I actually slept while the procedures were done. Sounds crazy right? Of course the laughing gas played a role, but so did the sound of the waves! I’ve always loved the sound water makes as it runs over stones or rushes towards shore. It’s very soothing!
So, I thought I’d go ask Grok once again, How does the sound of water soothe our minds?
Grok responded:
The sound of water soothes our minds through a combination of psychological, physiological, and evolutionary factors. Here’s a concise breakdown:
- Evolutionary Connection: Humans have long associated water with survival, as it’s essential for life. The sound of flowing water, like rivers or waves, may trigger an innate sense of safety and abundance, calming the nervous system.
- White Noise Effect: Water sounds, such as rain or waves, act as natural white noise. They mask disruptive background sounds, creating a consistent auditory environment that promotes relaxation and focus by reducing sensory overload.
- Autonomic Nervous System Response: The rhythmic, repetitive nature of water sounds (e.g., waves lapping or a babbling brook) can lower heart rate and blood pressure. This stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces a “rest and digest” state, reducing stress.
- Attention Restoration: According to Attention Restoration Theory, natural sounds like water engage “soft fascination,” allowing the brain to rest from directed attention. This helps reduce mental fatigue and enhances feelings of calm.
- Emotional Resonance: Water sounds often evoke positive associations, like peaceful memories of nature (e.g., a beach or forest stream). This can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin, boosting mood and relaxation.
- Acoustic Properties: The low-frequency, steady patterns in water sounds are inherently non-threatening and predictable, unlike sudden or erratic noises, which helps the brain feel secure and at ease.
Research, such as studies from the University of Sussex (2017), shows that natural sounds like water reduce stress markers like cortisol levels and improve self-reported relaxation. Posts found on X also suggest that water sounds are widely used in meditation and sleep aids due to their calming effect, though these are anecdotal and align with scientific findings.
In short, water sounds soothe by tapping into our biology, psychology, and connection to nature, creating a multisensory experience that promotes tranquility.
So, it’s no wonder I feel the way about it that I do!
Fortunately for me- I live in an area where there’s plenty of water! There’s the streams and waterways inland that abound, but then there’s also the ocean that calls.
The world in which we live is stressful! Why not utilize the calming effects that nature has for us? It’s free and is round us every day, whether in the green colors as last night’s post explained, or in the water around us. If you can’t get there because of where you live, there are tons of apps and recordings available-most for free or little cost.
Here’s a lovely example for your listening pleasure!
I hope this finds you more relaxed than when you started!
That’s gonna be it for this Friday. Take care always and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌎🙏
👣🐑☕️💦🌿😎👍🌞😁🌜🌙🥱😴
NKJV Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io
Picture taken by me and altered by cliptocomic app
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH
