Is Viewing Water Outdoors More Restorative Than Green Spaces?

Source: Michael Heck/Pixabay

You probably know that viewing nature and being outdoors can be pleasant and restorative. But the next sentence may surprise you. A growing body of studies indicate that viewing water may be a better environment for relaxation than green areas with grass and trees.

I recently read an article by Harvard psychologist Adam Grant, Ph.D., discussing rather remarkable 2024 research showing that people who viewed water for less than two minutes had reduced blood pressure compared to people viewing green areas and trees (Coss & Keller, 2022; Grant, 2024).

A recent article in the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests an evolutionary basis for these findings about water—that for humans and the homonins before us, dehydration has always been a major stressor, causing increases in blood pressure and cardiac stress (Coss & Keller, 2022). The researchers postulate that successfully detecting water to rehydrate is an evolutionary necessity, a result of natural selection, and a source of relief from thermal (heat) stress.

Interestingly, even viewing photos of landscapes with water produced “more wakefully relaxed brain activity compared with urban scenes” (Coss & Keller, 2022). While this new study distinguishes an advantage for actual water spaces, even images of natural views and spaces can be good for us.

So what? Do you experience days when the challenges of everyday life feel like a lot, maybe even overwhelming? Spending time in nature’s blue and green spaces is linked to improvements in mental health, mood, emotional well-being, and cognitive benefits (Weir, American Psychological Association, 2020).

As vulnerable humans, whatever the season, most of us are looking for ways to relax and calm ourselves. Hopefully, we get some respite, but most of us are going about our daily tasks, tackling life’s challenges and trying to somehow make a positive impact to benefit our families, workplaces, and communities. So, at times we’re longing for some moments of rest, relaxation, and well-being, and this is why this surprising information is so important to consider.

Being in nature can help you re-invigorate your body, mind, and spirit, offering moments of awe, calm, and relaxation. And now we are learning that bodies of water may bring even greater relaxation. Whether stream, river, pond, lake, or ocean, viewing water can be really good for you. So, how can you get outside more?

Here are six simple ways to experience blue and green surroundings:

1. Hang up some images of nature in your home.
2. Plan a picnic at the park or near a stream, river, or lake.
3. Take a book to the park and read on a bench or under a shady tree.
4. Meet a friend for a walk outdoors.
5. View videos or slides of outdoor scenes on your computer. Maybe use a water landscape screensaver for your electronic device.
6. Stand outside and look around at the sky.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. No content is a substitute for consulting with a qualified mental health or health care professional.

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