Splash of aqua

Written by: FATHIMATH NAUFA ,CLASS OF 2023.

Being a Maldivian, you get to grow up immersed in the sea life, surrounded, quite literally, by the ocean. Weekends spent on the beach, burning under the tropical sun, cloud watching while floating away on the glistening crystal blue waters Maldives is famous for. Elder members of the family laughing and catching up a bit too loud. Younger ones coming out of the sea barely long enough to satiate their starving bellies, diving right back in, till the sun sets and the day comes to a way too soon an end. Eid celebrated with vibrant dye colored water splashed on each other, much like Holi, except with water, as is the Maldivian way.

Be it major celebration or just another weekend, water played a major part of every Maldivian’s life. So coming from a Maldivian this might be slightly biased, but whether it’s a refreshing sea breeze, the gentle crashing of the waves at the shore or the beam of sunshine on the water ripples, I believe there is something deeply healing about being in or around the water.

It is a well-known fact that no living organism on our planet can survive without water. Of course, with the exception of a few such as kangaroo rat which can survive its whole life (10 years!) without drinking water. However, the magic and power the water holds within it might perhaps be more than what we were led to believe. The Victorians prescribed “sea air” as a cure for melancholy, while the French, for centuries, sent people with ailments to natural springs, believing in its restorative properties. Scientists finally seems to be catching up on the healing energy of water.

There are currently several pathways known by which the presence of water may positively impact our health, wellbeing and happiness. While lack of air pollution and increased amount of sunlight experienced in more aquatic environments and the higher general level of physical activity plays a role in this, the main focus of this article is going to be on the psychological restorative effects of water.

A ROOM WITH A BLUE VIEW CAN HELP YOU FEEL LESS '' BLUE''.

Though the word ‘blue’ is quite often used to describe feelings of despair, recent research suggests that there are great benefits to being around or near water, also called as “Blue spaces”. For instance, a study published in 2019 in scientific reports found that people who lived near blue spaces had lower risk of mental health issues. “The color blue has been found by an overwhelming amount of people to be associated with feelings of calm and peace. Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state.”- Richard Shuster, PsyD, clinical psychologist. According to a study published in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s journal even found that blue is associated with a boost of creativity. In a not so far future we just might need to find another color to describe melancholy.

NEGATIVE IONS PRODUCING POSITIVE VIBES.

The smell of the aquatic breeze also contribute to the improved mood, which may have something to do with the negative ions in the air that you breathe in. The oxygen atoms have an extra electron and are naturally created by the water, air, sunlight and the earth’s natural radiation. The highest concentration of these typically occur near crashing water such as waterfalls and the ocean. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase serotonin levels, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy. Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy. A study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine suggests that negative ion therapy could be used to treat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Around 1/3rd of our population is sensitive to the effects of negative ions. Negative ions can make them feel like they are walking on air. They feel instantly refreshed the moment they open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air. They also feel sleepy when around an air-conditioner (which is a negative ion eradicator), but feel immediately refreshed and invigorated when step outside or roll down the car window.

Every home has a built-in natural ionizer – the shower.

PINK AMBIENCE

The soft sighs of waves washing the shore, the hiss of pebbles being pulled back by the tide, the sounds that water makes in these natural settings fall into the category of “pink noise”. Similar to white noise but smoother and more soothing, pink noise is an ongoing, nondescript sound that equally combines all the sound frequencies a human ear can hear. Studies have discovered that pink noise can help you sleep better as it helps to reduce brain wave activity. Water sounds are naturally soothing and many people have used running water in meditation practices for years.

Researchers believe that the sound of water can guide the neuronal waves in our brain, allowing for a calming effect. However, getting out to the ocean or the lake to wind down at the end of a stressful day isn’t exactly practical for most of us. Whether it is to focus on a task, or relax and sleep better, just playing the sound of water as the ambience can help, even if you just play a video on YouTube. While there is an undoubted need for further research in to the healing abilities of being in and around water, there will be few who would argue against the fact that a bit of sunshine and whole lot of ocean can help lessen the blow of a broken heart or a suffering soul. Everything is just a little bit better, with an ocean breeze and water lapping at your feet.