Soothing the Soul with Water

For some people, it's wide open fields, or maybe it's mountains. For me, when everything inside is roiling, water is my drug of choice for smoothing the sharp edges, calming down the brain turmoil and giving me perspective about my place in the world, in pain or in joy. It works. 

"According to scientific studies, being by the sea has a positive impact on mental health. Minerals in sea air reduce stress. Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain (they’re also present around waterfalls), which improves alertness and mental energy. And salt in the water preserves tryptamine, serotonin, and melatonin, which aid in diminishing depression, giving us a better night’s sleep, and boosting feelings of well-being.

Even the sound of water has positive effects on our mental health. Water sounds have long been used in meditation to create a soothing atmosphere for our minds. Science suggests that the rhythm of ocean waves and tides coming in and out can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain, encouraging a more peaceful pace of thought." Source

It doesn't escape me, ever, how fortunate I am to live in a place where this solace is easily accessible. Joy joy!!

The weather was a perfect reflection of my emotions, dramatic clouds of grey and white, half the sky the blue of dreams, the other dark with rain. It was that duality, with its insistence to not ignore the light, even in the dark. Acknowledge the dark, follow the light. 

If there are spirit animals - 'spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies' source - then it makes sense to me that there are spirit places. The ocean is mine. 

I left these caption-less so you can create your own or just take in the view. Maybe the sound of those very small and gentle waves coming in would have been good to add. It wasn't a pounding surf, like the other day, but a subtle and rhythmic lapping on the shore, a watery lullaby. 

Just thinking about it makes me realize I need to go back. Now.

Have a totemic Thursday. Do something tantalizing.