Whitewater Is Magic
July 17, 2017
“People report better moods when taking a walk near the river than in many natural areas,” White told Outside magazine. But people are more than simply drawn to water. White added that just being near the water can release our “feel-good” hormones such as dopamine. Listening to its rhythm and appreciating its curves, color and texture also encourage “mind-wandering,” an excellent way to boost creativity and innovation. According to Nichols, studies at Stanford University have begun exploring that sense of awe we feel when standing by a river, noting its ability to influence our perception of time and the way we feel about ourselves as well as others.
In the right context, water can also do more than soothe and restore us. The adrenaline that surges through the body when we raft through whitewater rapids can improve our cognitive function, memory and even immune system, says Real Causes, Real Cure author, Jacob Teitelbaum, Ph.D. It also reshapes our perception of what really is worth worrying about. It’s hard to stress about answering emails on Monday when the weekend’s memories of plunging over cascades and waterfalls are still fresh!