Water !
Discover the healing power of We humans are 70% water, which is why H2O has such powerful, study-proven benefits for your brain, body and spirits!
Brain scans show that when you look at water scenes, your brain’s memory region lights up! As Paulette Sherman, Psy.d., author of The Book of Sacred Baths, explains, gazing at water images is so calming, it washes away stress chemicals that short-circuit recall.
✤ Get the benefit by . . . changing the scene!
2Vary the water imagery you gaze at. Maybe your computer shows a waterfall, while your fridge is awash in beach photos. Your brain craves variety, making different types of watery oases extra-soothing!
Sharpen your memory by gazing at water! Melt stress with a seaside soundtrack!
Unleash a flood of creativity by floating away! Sink a bad mood with an ocean dip!
Taking a dip in the ocean isn’t just refreshing— it’s healing! “Seawater contains negative ions that help increase oxygen levels in your cells and trigger the release of the happiness hormone serotonin,” explains Sherman. “These negative ions have also been shown to reduce depression and increase energy.”
Get the benefit with . . .
an a.m. shower! The ocean isn’t the only place where negative ions spark positive vibes. Simply take a shower in the morning to get the same energizing boost! Listening to ocean waves melts stress instantly! In fact, one study showed that seniors who listened to a CD of ocean waves for 12 minutes three times a week for four months had considerably lower blood pressure, stress levels and less muscle tension, reveals Sherman.
Get the benefit by . . . picturing the
3beach! While listening to lapping waves, picture yourself at the beach. Vivid visualization amplifies the relaxation benefits of soothing seaside sounds!
45The summer-perfect way to ignite creativity? Just float away! “Floating gives your senses a break from over-stimulation, inducing a meditative calm that unleashes creativity,” explains Sherman. “The relaxing state triggered by floating helps your brain consolidate new knowledge.” The proof: “One study showed that a single hour of floating boosted test scores measuring creativity in college students. No wonder the Japanese have a saying that all great ideas are born in water!”
Get
the benefit with . . . a lavender bath! “Baths improve focus by reducing stress—and they bolster your immune system,” Sherman says. Light a candle, close your eyes and consider ear plugs to reduce stimulation even more. And sprinkle in some calming lavender essential oil and Epsom salts for a detoxifying health benefit.
Stay young from top to toe with a “smart” swim!
Swimming just may be the Fountain of Youth! Researchers report that folks aged 70 and over who swam a few times a week were 33% less prone to falls and balance issues than non-swimmers. Experts link swimming’s anti-aging benefits to the need to coordinate upper and lower body movements—movements also shown to slash your risk of depression and spur the growth of new neurons!
Get the benefit with . . . a “Phelps’
breath”! A big reason swimming protects your brain is that it expands your lung capacity, sending more oxygen to neurons. Just try this Olympic swimmers’ trick: Practice making your exhalation twice as long as your inhalation, which improves lung capacity and relaxes your body!