August 26, 2022 — “Bodies of water can produce a glorious sense of awe, the emotional response to something vast that expands and challenges how we see the world,” wrote Elizabeth Bernstein in The Wall Street Journal this week. “Awe can decrease stress and help us put things into perspective.”
In a great piece titled “The Underrated Therapy for Anxiety and Stress: Water,” the columnist reminded us that, “It has been a rough few years, and many of us are finding ourselves exhausted, burned out, struggling to build balance back into our lives. We need to recharge. Water can help.”
Bernstein reported, “Neuroscientists say that spending time near oceans, lakes, rivers and other blue spaces can provide a range of benefits including reducing anxiety, easing mental fatigue and rejuvenating us. When you are near it, there is often less visual and auditory information to process. Our mind can rest.”
If you follow Cardthartic, you know I often mention my infatuation with the sea and its restorative powers, and how blessed I feel to be able to live and work by an ocean. Our CEO Ana gave me a big, beautiful pillow that proclaims, “Take Me to the Water.” It really should read, “Take THEE to the Water,” as that’s what Ana tells me when she senses I’m approaching writer’s block … she’ll remind me that I can happily draft in a half-hour at the shore what would take me all agonizing day at my desk. And off I’ll go.
After Creative Coordinator Luda and I had gotten our 20 new designs off to press — and before we release them to you next week — we grabbed l’il Gracie here and spent nearly the whole day bobbing away.
It was Gracie’s first swim in the sea and, despite Luda’s gentle giant husband Jeff having a firm grip on her and it being as placid as a lake out there, our Gracie girl was not that keen on ocean swimming. But then she’s been known to pussyfoot around mud puddles, too.
That said, she can sit by the sea for hours and hours, zenning out on those powerful negative ions.
“All water counts,” according to Bernstein. “You likely have some close by, even if it is just a creek alongside the road. Start there. Then branch out to water you can visit on the weekend or a vacation. Urban water such as rivers, canals and fountains count,” she wrote.
“So does domestic water — in pools, bathtubs, even sprinklers. If you can’t get to the water, paintings, photographs, videos and movies can produce some of the same benefits.
“You can spend time on the water anywhere, anytime in your mind,” Bernstein concluded. “Often when I feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and picture myself sailing years ago off the coast of Michigan with my dad and sisters. I visualize the sun sparkling on the water, the sound of the waves splashing against the boat, the voices of my family. Almost immediately, I feel calmer.”
I feel calmer just reading her account and, come to find out, Elizabeth Bernstein lives in Miami, too! You’ve heard it straight from the Seaside Sisterhood, “Take thee to the water this weekend!”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
August 26, 2022 — “Bodies of water can produce a glorious sense of awe, the emotional response to something vast that expands and challenges how we see the world,” wrote Elizabeth Bernstein in The Wall Street Journal this week. “Awe can decrease stress and help us put things into perspective.”
In a great piece titled “The Underrated Therapy for Anxiety and Stress: Water,” the columnist reminded us that, “It has been a rough few years, and many of us are finding ourselves exhausted, burned out, struggling to build balance back into our lives. We need to recharge. Water can help.”
Bernstein reported, “Neuroscientists say that spending time near oceans, lakes, rivers and other blue spaces can provide a range of benefits including reducing anxiety, easing mental fatigue and rejuvenating us. When you are near it, there is often less visual and auditory information to process. Our mind can rest.”
If you follow Cardthartic, you know I often mention my infatuation with the sea and its restorative powers, and how blessed I feel to be able to live and work by an ocean. Our CEO Ana gave me a big, beautiful pillow that proclaims, “Take Me to the Water.” It really should read, “Take THEE to the Water,” as that’s what Ana tells me when she senses I’m approaching writer’s block … she’ll remind me that I can happily draft in a half-hour at the shore what would take me all agonizing day at my desk. And off I’ll go.
After Creative Coordinator Luda and I had gotten our 20 new designs off to press — and before we release them to you next week — we grabbed l’il Gracie here and spent nearly the whole day bobbing away.
It was Gracie’s first swim in the sea and, despite Luda’s gentle giant husband Jeff having a firm grip on her and it being as placid as a lake out there, our Gracie girl was not that keen on ocean swimming. But then she’s been known to pussyfoot around mud puddles, too.
That said, she can sit by the sea for hours and hours, zenning out on those powerful negative ions.
“All water counts,” according to Bernstein. “You likely have some close by, even if it is just a creek alongside the road. Start there. Then branch out to water you can visit on the weekend or a vacation. Urban water such as rivers, canals and fountains count,” she wrote.
“So does domestic water — in pools, bathtubs, even sprinklers. If you can’t get to the water, paintings, photographs, videos and movies can produce some of the same benefits.
“You can spend time on the water anywhere, anytime in your mind,” Bernstein concluded. “Often when I feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and picture myself sailing years ago off the coast of Michigan with my dad and sisters. I visualize the sun sparkling on the water, the sound of the waves splashing against the boat, the voices of my family. Almost immediately, I feel calmer.”
I feel calmer just reading her account and, come to find out, Elizabeth Bernstein lives in Miami, too! You’ve heard it straight from the Seaside Sisterhood, “Take thee to the water this weekend!”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Good morning, All. Today’s CNews is wondrously waterful – love it! Jodee teased me when I moved into the apartment next door to hers that the first thing I did was hang my sign, “A Mermaid Lives Here.” Indeed. ;) Off to inflate my paddle board this TGIF. Seas the day!
I have been told I am a flatlander because I love living by the ocean in its neighboring flatlands. I had my friend Madeline’s three young grandsons visiting from Wisconsin years back. If you want to see how impressive seeing a huge body of water is for the first time you just need to see three boys running across the sand yelling with joy. It is good for the heart.
Hi there!
Making sure you have read the excellent book called Blue Mind by Nichols. All about the joys (and science) of being in, on or near the water! A must read if you live on the water.
Such timing with your newsletter. Right now Bill & I are sitting on the deck gazing at the calm, beautiful lake at the family cottage in northern WI. We came here to do work but it’s just too gorgeous of a day & will be playing instead. Bill saw 2 otters near the dock this morning & we love watching & listening for the loons. It’s restorative indeed.
Earlier this summer, Jodi sent me a short clip of the ocean…and I knew just who needed to see it. I have a good friend, who though he grew up in Indiana, had transplanted to California for a season and fallen deeply in love with the ocean. However, when the Lord called him back to Indiana…well…there isn’t much here that resembles “ocean.” He thanked me for sending the clip…saying “It’s amazing how I just automatically take a deep breath when I see the ocean.” Unfortunately, here bodies of water (lakes and even rivers) tend to be chocolate milk colored…not so soothing or awe-inspiring.
And having a mom who deals with such significant motion sickness that she can look at a picture of moving water and get sea sick…I grew up a tree lover rather than one given to bodies of water. And I bet there is research out there somewhere that affirms that trees can have that same health benefit – they certainly do for me.
I am often grateful that we live along a river…. and among trees….