Blue Mind : The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do (9780316365192)

A landmark book by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols on the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being. Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind , Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success. Blue Mind not only illustrates the crucial importance of our connection to water; it provides a paradigm shifting "blueprint" for a better life on this Blue Marble we call home. This is your brain on water. There's something about water that attracts and fascinates us. No wonder: it's the most omnipresent subnstance on Earth and, along with air, the primary ingredient for supporting life as we know it. From far, far outside, our planet looks like a blue marble; from deep inside, we ourselves are three-quarters H2O. We know instinctively that being near water makes us healthier and happier, reduces stress, and brings us peace. But why? And what might the answer tell us about how we should be living our lives? After centuries of asking these questions, we can finally answer them - and those answers are life changing. As Wallace J. Nichols reveals in Blue Mind , we are now at the forefront of a wave of neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and medical research that illuminates the phsysiological and brain processes that underlie our transformative connection to water. That research, involving tools like EEGs, MRIs, and fMRIs, is uncovering remarkable truths about water's incredibly powerful, and startlingly profound, effects on our bodies and souls. Drawing on this breakthrough science, and on compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, Nichols shows precisely how proximity to water can: -improve performance in a wide range of fields -increase calm and diminish anxiety much better than medication -amplify creativity - artistic and otherwise -increase generosity and compassion -increase professional success -improve our overall health and well-being -reinforce our connection to the natural world - and one another Blue Mind isn't just about oceans, lakes, and rivers. Water's tremendous benefits stretch from the sea to the swimming pool, from a barrier reef to a glass of water - even a fishbowl, photograph, or painting. So no matter where you live on this big blue marble, it's time to get your brain on water. There's something about water that attracts and fascinates us. No wonder: it's the most omnipresent substance on Earth and, along with air, the primary ingredient for supporting life. From afar, our planet looks like a blue marble; we ourselves are three-quarters H2O. We know instinctively that being near water makes us healthier and happier, reduces stress, and brings us peace. But why? And what might the answer tell us about how we should be living our lives? Now, we can finally answer these questions--and those answers are life-changing. As Wallace Nichols reveals here, we are at the forefront of a wave of neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and medical research that illuminates the physiological and brain processes that underlie our transformative connection to water. Drawing on this breakthrough science, and on compelling personal stories from athletes, scientists, veterans, and artists, Nichols shows how proximity to water can: improve performance in a wide range of fields; increase calm and diminish anxiety much better than medication; amplify creativity--artistic and otherwise; increase generosity and compassion; increase professional success; improve our overall health and well-being; and reinforce our connection to the natural world--and one another.--From publisher description. Blue Mind paints a fascinating picture of our relationship to the planet's most omnipresent resource - water. Grounded in cutting-edge studies in neurobiology, cognitive psychology, economics, and medicine, and made real by stories of innovative scientists, doctors, athletes, artists, environmentalists, businesspeople and lovers of nature - stories that fascinate the mind and touch the heart - Blue Mind will awaken readers to the vital importance of water to the health and happiness of us all Why do we love water so much? Water and the brain : neuroscience and blue mind The water premium The senses, the body, and "big blue" Blue mind at work and play Red mind, gray mind, blue mind : the health benefits of water Blue unified : connection and water Only connect A million blue marbles. Discusses The Importance Of Humans' Connection To Water And How People Are Drawn To Being In, On, Or Around Oceans, Rivers, And Lakes And Points To Recent Findings In Neuroscience That Indicate That Proximity To Water Can Improve Mood, Performance, Health, And Success.