Читать книгу Oceans For Dummies - Joseph Kraynak - Страница 39

When looking at a map, many see the ocean as a vast expanse between continents, countries, and people — as something that divides us. But the ocean doesn’t divide us, it connects us. We are all touched by the sea every minute of every day, no matter where we live. When you look out across the ocean’s deep blue hues or envision them through your imagination you’re filled with excitement, wonder, curiosity, fear, hope, or a harmony of emotions. As the latest generation of hipsters may say, the ocean fills us with “all the feels.”

Have you ever noticed when you’re near the ocean, you feel calmer? You feel a little healthier, less stressed, peaceful, and happier? Well, while part of that sense of serenity may be due to the fact that it’s the weekend or you’re on vacation, most of it is actually due to the fact that the ocean has a soothing and restorative effect on the mind and spirit. This is something that our friend and noted marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols explores in his book Blue Mind (Back Bay Books, 2015). In it Nichols explores neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and medical research to illuminate the physiological and brain processes that underlie our connection to water and its effects on the human body, mind, and spirit.

Through his research, Nichols found that being in or close to water, whether ocean, lake, stream, river, or even swimming pool, reduces anxiety, boosts creativity, strengthens human bonds, increases compassion, and even enhances job performance. As Nichols summarizes (www.wallacejnichols.org/122/bluemind.html), “Water is medicine for those who need it most … and everyone else,” a statement that resonates with Danish writer Isak Dinesen, who wrote, “The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.”

Any way you slice it, we are all connected to the ocean and through the ocean to one another — physically through air and water, emotionally through stories, art and music, and mentally through our daydreams, whether they’re dreams of sitting near the beach with a cold drink as the sea blows gently through our hair, of standing tall on the deck of a wooden ship battling the kraken, or of being seduced by the siren songs of distant mermaids.

See you there.