Over the past few years, there has been a wealth of information published about the benefits of spending even brief amounts of time in nature. Based on well-founded scientific studies, we now know that being in green spaces can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and improve immune systems. Time in nature boosts creativity, sharpens focus and increases attention span. What is just beginning to emerge from the newest research however, are the rewards that come from spending time near water.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist turned neuroscientist, has determined that our brains enter into a “mildly meditative state” when we are exposed to water. He has named this state, rather appropriately, our “Blue Mind.” Blue Mind state, he says, is characterized by a sense of calmness, clarity and connectedness.
In order to prove his theories, Dr. Nichols has used imaging techniques such as CT, MRI and PET scans to record the brain’s responses to water. The tests have consistently shown that being close to water releases the “feel good” hormones dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin in the brain. At the same time, the stress hormone cortisol drops. As a result of the changes in hormone levels a sense of utter relaxation occurs.
The sound of water, whether it is as strong as waves crashing against the shoreline or as gentle as the murmur of a backyard fountain, has also been shown to have a healing effect. The sound of moving water tends to mask other noises, creating what is known as a consistent soundscape. (Think white noise.) This allows the brain to stop processing the information it is constantly bombarded with from the surrounding environment and to enter into a calmer, more reflective state. Newer studies are also connecting time in a consistent soundscape to higher levels of creativity and problem solving since the brain is better able to notice anything new or novel.
Just like the benefits of spending time in nature don’t require hours spent trekking through forests, the healing powers of water don’t require moving to the ocean. Instead, simply adding a water feature to the existing landscape opens up a myriad of both physical and psychological health benefits.
The term water feature covers a wide range of possibilities. It can describe anything from a simple garden fountain to a massive waterfall or a large lake. For most people though, water features fall into a few categories, all of which are appropriate for the landscape. We’ve included images from a variety of Embassy’s projects to help you visualize how the various types of water features could work for you.
Fountains
Often the easiest to install, usually needing just access to power for the pump, fountains are available in a huge range of sizes, materials and designs. Depending on the design, water flows from a central spout or multiple jets into a basin or pool, filling the air with the rhythmic sound of falling droplets.
Waterfalls
Waterfalls present a more complex project which is often easier to install on a sloping area to gain height. Water flows from a pipe or pipes hidden in the rockwork and then cascades into a stream or pond. Pondless systems are available for those wanting less maintenance. Often designed in a naturalistic style, waterfalls can be visually mesmerizing.
Streams
Adding a natural looking stream is an excellent way to add both movement and sound to the landscape. To create a streambed, water is redirected from a reservoir and then moves through the designated pathway. The water then cycles back to the reservoir and the process repeats.
Ponds
Contained bodies of water, ponds can be formed in just about any size or shape you can imagine. Filled with fish and aquatic plants, ponds can become a haven for wildlife and can offer you a calm retreat in which to escape from a frenzied life.
Whether you choose a simple tabletop fountain next to your favorite chair, or a complex system of waterfalls and streams, bringing water into your outdoor living space is a choice you won’t regret. Not only will a new water feature add beauty to the landscape, but it will also open you up to that Blue Mind state of calmness, a welcome change after a chaotic day.
If you’re considering adding a water feature to your landscape, give the designers at Embassy Landscape Group a call. They can bring your vision to life.
By: Sandra Nelson
