Blue Mind: Finding Peace by the Water

Sunrise at Myrtle Beach

A psychic once told me that my peace would be found around water. I agree wholeheartedly. And nothing proved it more than last year. The calming effects of water can not be understated. The concept called Blue Mind is the mildly meditative state you fall into when you are near water. The results for me being by water produced a sense of calm, well being, and eventually happiness within my heart.

Sunrise at Myrtle Beach

Where Do I Go to Find Peace by the WaterHeather in front of waterfall in Doi Inthanon

I tend to pick vacations that have something to do with or by water. I go on hikes to chase waterfalls. Go to lakes & beaches, to hear the waves crashing to shore. Or I search out boat rides. I have never gotten seasick on a boat. And I can’t help just leaning on a railing with the wind blowing through my hair, the sun shining down on my face, listening to the waves lapping the boat, smiling, and not having a care in the world.Heather soaking in the sun on a boat ride

Why is the Sound of Water Soothing?

Water sounds have been used to help soothe the mind in meditation for years. Research and science say that the rhythm of ocean waves and tides coming in and out can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain. The sound of the waves crashing into the sand over and over is a form of white noise. And white noise can help you feel more relaxed and help you to sleep by allowing you to let your thoughts go. I have stayed in hotel rooms by the beach and opened the door at night to hear the waves. It relaxes me so; I can fall asleep easier and quicker, which is much better than lying in my bed with thoughts running through my brain and not being able to shut them off.

Benefits of Being Near WaterSunset in Hoi An, Vietnam

Science has been proven that being by the water, whether it is a lake, sea, or ocean, will improve your mental health. The minerals in sea air can reduce your stress level. The negative ions found around waterfalls can increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, which improves alertness, mental energy, and creativity. And the salt in the water preserves tryptamine, serotonin, and melatonin, which aids in diminishing depression, helps us sleep better at night, and boosts your overall feelings of well-being. There are even therapists that specialize in water for helping treat and manage PTSD, addiction, anxiety disorders, and autism.

Contemplating the beauty and enormity of a waterfall, sea, or ocean has an intense impact on the way we feel. It can lead to increased behavior for altruism, kindness, and generosity. Being near water lowers stress and anxiety. It gives you an overall sense of well-being and happiness. And it can even lower your heart and breathing rate.

How to Find Peace and HappinessHeather on a boat ride in the Menai Strait - Blue Mind

I don’t have the one answer to find peace and happiness for everyone. Each person reacts to stress and heartbreak differently. I know that for myself, this past year has taken a toll on my health and well-being that I wasn’t expecting. Having the rug pulled out from under me by someone I trusted completely in Rotterdam and everything that I found out after was a wake-up call for me to re-evaluate what was important.

Whenever I was upset while in Rotterdam, I ended up by the water with tears falling down my face. Sitting on the edge of a pier watching the sunset over the water did help to calm me down for a bit. And after Rotterdam, I spent the summer in Wales and spent a lot of time by the sea, including going on some calming boat rides. For me, every time that I was able to sit by the water or be on the water helped me get a little closer to finding peace and happiness again.Sunset in Rotterdam

If you are looking for ways to have the benefits of water be a part of your life, here are some ideas for you.

  • Purchase a little water fountain for your bedside table – I have done this and hearing the water run across the rocks is soothing and relaxing
  • Listen to the sounds of water before you go to bed – Listening to the white noise of waves crashing is a wonderful way to clear your head
  • Pamper yourself with a spa visit – I did a hydrotherapy spa package while I was in Thailand, and it was Amazing. See if you can find one by you or go somewhere that does have one
  • Plan a vacation to someplace near water – This is my favorite on the list. You don’t always have to go to the beach. You can find ways to be by water anywhere you go.

Finding Peace for Your HeartHeather on a Boat Ride in Hoi An

The process that I have gone through to recover has been lengthy, with a lot of tears and a massive amount of anger that I didn’t know how to release. Finding out that someone you cared for betrayed you most unbelievably and cruelly is difficult to get past. But, you can and will get past it. I had a good friend help me do just that while I was in Hoi An, Vietnam. She told me to look at what happened a little differently.

Instead of continually trying to figure out why he could do what he did and be angry with myself for allowing him to treat me so badly, I had to let it go. There is no logic or reason behind what a narcissist sociopath does, and he will never accept responsibility for all the damage he has caused so many women. That is a difficult thing to admit, but for me to find my peace, I had to accept this truth. And once I did that, my heart and mind were free.

SummaryHeather at An Bang Beach by the South China Sea

Here I am with my toes in the sand by the South China Sea, and I’m happy again. It has been a long and challenging path to reach my peace and happiness, but I got here with the help of friends new and old. And help from Mother Nature in providing a calm space for my mind to relax and let go of all the negative thoughts. Water has always been a constant in my life that I turn to to help solve anything that is bothering me. Nothing beats sitting down and listening to the waves crash into the sand or riding in a boat with the wind blowing through your hair, and all you see is water. Being near the water does improve your level of calmness, sense of well-being, and happiness.

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Further Reading

If you are looking for a holiday by the water, check out these posts for further travel inspiration:

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