JUST ADD WATER
While on the road, have you ever had one of your passengers announce suddenly that they can see the ocean — or smell the salt-air — with a look of such exuberance that you’d think it was their birthday? Or seen the excitement in your young child’s eyes when you say, “who wants to go swimming”?
Our emotional responses to water are hardwired.
There’s a lot written about the physical and psychological benefits of being on and around water. Scientific studies indicate that proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety and increase success.
Apparently if you present someone with a photograph, the more water it shows the happier they feel (we can only assume that doesn’t include photos of torrential downpours!).
And, in some psychology circles, it can be reasonable to ask someone, “What’s your water?”, meaning: where’s the waterside place you go to feed your inner mojo? (For more, see W J Nichols, Blue Mind).
A BEACH-BOUND NATION
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