Perreault Magazine - 52 -
Imagine sitting at your desk, looking out through a window on a sea of cars, houses, buildings, roads.
How do you feel?
Now imagine looking out at the ocean, strolling along the coast in search of sea turtle nests. Just a ribbon of sand backed by endless blue, to the horizon and beyond. The rhythm of the surf in your ears. Just you, the turtles, and the ocean for miles and miles.
How do you feel now?
New research suggests that saving baby sea turtles, taking a walk outside, and absorbing water views—yes, volunteering on a sea turtle nesting beach—can be very good for us.
Water calms us; it reduces stress. And since stress causes disease, that relief is a good thing.
Combine that with the proven cognitive value of simply taking a walk outside, plus the value of an altruistic act and the creativity and insight generated by the color blue, and you get a potent brew I call “Blue Mind.”
As we combine the fields of neuroscience and ocean exploration and protection, we are gaining new insights into ourselves, our relationship with water, and ways to use what we learn to make our planet healthier. There’s plenty of overlap between the study of the human brain and the single biggest feature of our blue planet.
In his new book, Imagine: How Creativity Works, neuroscience writer Jonah Lehrer explains that the color blue can double your creative output. Creativity isn’t a lucky gift you’re just born with. It can be developed, honed, and jacked up, if you know how. Being near water can help you with that.
Dr Wallace J Nichols
NEUROCONSERVANCY