HARNESS HAPPINESS WITH WATER

Walking along the promenade with the sound of the waves lapping against the shore; tiptoeing over stepping stones through a babbling brook; sauntering by a flowing river; meandering around a peaceful lake…

Anyone who has walked by water will know it’s a truly uplifting experience, and there’s a scientific reason for this: ‘It dates back thousands of years and is hardwired into our DNA,’ says Streets. ‘Water equals survival. When our ancestors heard the sound of water, it signified life and somewhere that would provide the food and drink needed to survive. Things may be different now, in that we don’t have to hunt for our food, and water flows freely into our homes, but these innate feelings are still within us.

‘Because light is reflected off the water’s surface, you’re exposed to twice the level of light when walking close by. When light falls on our skin, it creates the hormone serotonin – known as our feelgood or happy hormone – so it stands to reason the more light we see, the happier we feel.’