Open Water: How Lakes and Oceans Make You Healthier

Can spending even a short time by open water make a big impact on your health?

Doctors share their perspectives and personal experiences of how the inherent healing qualities of water can buoy physical wellness and lead to benefits in the realms of mental health.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Chad Walding, Doctor of Physical Therapy at NativePath, advocates for a holistic approach to health and has seen the influence proximity to water has on the mind and body. “I’ve frequently seen the positive effects of water (like lakes and oceans) on patients as many feel a sense of calmness and satisfaction when by a body of water,” Chad writes.

Dr. Jay Serle, LMFT, PhD., and Clinical Psychologist, practices at The Ohana Luxury Rehab in Hawaii, just minutes away from the ocean. Being near the ocean has an obvious positive effect on health, with Jay noting, “I think it’s possible to experience the benefits of the ocean immediately.”

Shebna N. Osanmoh I, PMHNP-BC, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Savant Care, Inc., advocates for immersing yourself in nature to help the body heal and recharge. He specializes in a comprehensive range of mental health services, from acute crisis intervention to long-term therapeutic care for mood disorders, anxiety, and ADHD, and specializes in various health stages.

Just 20 Minutes Makes a Big Difference

What is the shortest amount of time you need to spend by an open body of water to experience its benefits?

Chad offers, “Research has indicated that even spending 20 minutes near any body of water can decrease stress levels, decrease cortisol, and improve mood. The visuals and sounds of water reliably provoke the parasympathetic nervous system, enabling relaxation and comfort.”

In a similar vein, Jay notes, “Just a couple of hours a week near the water can be beneficial. Studies have shown that being by the water makes you happier. It relaxes you. That’s why we offer adventure therapy at The Ohana, which often features ocean-based activities like kayaking, because it can improve mental health.”

“Witnesses claim that just being close to any open water body, even for about 10 to 15 minutes, is enough to cause statistically measurable stress-reducing effects, ” notes Shebna.

“Numerous studies on blue space exposure– that is, environments with visible water- have shown that small amounts of time spent in these settings lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body and create a feeling of serenity,” Shebna relays.

Short-Term Benefits of Open Water

We’ve explored some of the immediate and short-term benefits of being near open water, with everyone agreeing that being by the water lowers stress and cortisol. That’s a good deal!

Shebna expands upon this here, so take some notes!

He concludes that being close to lakes or oceans for a short time results in:

Less stress and less anxiousness: Exposure to water is known to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes one more relaxed.

Better mood: Just the sounds of rhythmic waves and the sheer presence of water will work to clear the head and bring about a meditative experience.

Better focus and creativity: Studies suggest that spending time near large water bodies helps restore cognitive function, with the brain being given something ‘softly captivating’ for it to focus on.

Complementary Activities By The Water

In addition to simply being by the water, there are many activities you can do while you’re there to help boost waterside benefits. It also doesn’t take long to see the results.

“Leisure activities like walking along the shore or doing gentle stretches tend to provide additional positive benefits as well. Consistent water experiences, even on weekends, can positively affect your sleep and creativity and help redeem mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression.” – Chad

“Swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all great. They are rejuvenating and also help improve your physical health as well. Physical exercise triggers the release of hormones that boost mood.” – Jay

“Activities that involve the mind altogether with the body multiply the gains of being by water.” – Shebna

Shebna suggests the following exercises to complement your time by the water.

Walking by a shore or lake (20-30 minutes): Increases intake of oxygen and favours movement awareness.

Swimming or wading in water (15-20 minutes): Hydrostatic pressure of water can go a long way toward soothing the nervous system and improving circulation.

Kayaking or paddleboarding (30-60 minutes): Whole-body movement event with a comforting quality of gliding over water.

Sitting and just looking at water (10-15 minutes): Mindful observation can lower heart rate and facilitate deep breathing.

Long-Term Benefits of Living By Open Water

Do you need to live by an ocean or a lake to keep the momentum of better health, or can you experience similar benefits by spending weekends close to open water at a rented cabin or cottage?

“One study completed in 2019 indicated that regularly experiencing a natural environment (including water) can reduce depression while also improving cognition! You don’t have to live by the water to leverage its benefits; visiting a lake or beach or even just having a water source nearby can prove long-lasting advantages on your health!” – Chad

“Living near the water has been shown to boost mental health and happiness. But I don’t think that you necessarily have to live there. Even visiting the ocean is enough to boost mental health. That’s why people feel so relaxed and rejuvenated after visiting a beach.” – Jay

For more long-term gains, Shebna highlights:

Better mental health: Spending time in or near water lowers an individual’s propensity toward anxiety and depression.

Good sleep: The soothing sounds of flowing water can assist with sleep improvement over time.

Promoting exercise: Residents who live near the water will naturally become more active outdoors.

Social well-being: Area waterscapes promote social contact and bonding in the community.

Shebna states, “You don’t have to live near water to see benefits. Even short weekend visits to a lakeside cabin or coastal retreat can reap long-term psychological benefits because water exposure has a lasting effect and helps create positive emotional patterns.”

Practical Application of Lakeside and Ocean Therapy

If you received a nature prescription from your doctor and haven’t put it to use yet, you’ll want to hear how being near open water can really give you a lift and encourage you to take the plunge (figuratively speaking).

Jeff Powell, Creator and CEO of National Park Ventures, finds that it takes him a minimum of 20-30 minutes to become calm and still, both inwardly and outwardly. He acknowledges, “Depending on how ‘wound up’ and stressed I am, it can take twice that long.”

Jeff’s Short-term Benefits

Some plusses of being near water, even briefly, are quite significant!

He notes that physically, his heart rate and breathing slow down, and his blood pressure drops.

“Mentally and emotionally, I find that the stress seems to ‘bleed away.’ My mind becomes much clearer and focused. My perspective on life has become more positive,” Jeff confirms.

These positive changes also impact Jeff’s family, adding that he’s easier to be around when he’s near water!

Complementary Activities Within Reach

You don’t have to do heavy lifting to boost the benefits of simply being near the water. Putting your senses to work is another way of experiencing the positive impact of ocean air and lakeside luxury.

Jeff observes, “It sometimes helps to close your eyes for a bit. We tend to be visually distracted, which keeps our minds busy.”

Another suggestion is to breathe. Sounds almost too easy, doesn’t it?

“Just breathe. Slowly. Focused breathing is very calming and has benefits physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Jeff nudges.

Ready for another sense to round out your experience? Jeff advises that you try listening to the sound of waves rolling in or the breeze blowing through the trees along the shoreline.

Lastly, you’ll want to feel relaxed, not just hope you do! This might require consciously relaxing your body (even though it can be hard to let your guard down).

He says, “We tend to carry stress in our neck, shoulders, and back.” Try loosening those up. Getting to a point where you can allow yourself to rest is key.

Will Any Source of Water Do? 

Most people don’t live near a lake or the ocean, so it may help if you can arrange to live near a body of water, like a river or a pond.

Jeff shares, “I love sitting next to a lake or the ocean while on vacation. But it doesn’t take me long to ‘re-stress’ after returning home. I have found that I’m a better person when I’m experiencing the benefits of water. That’s why we built our home next to a large, wide creek that runs around two sides of our cabin!”

Putting Lake and Ocean Therapy to the Test

Looking for ideas on applying the tips you’ve read?

The Powells have found the Florida Panhandle (Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Orange Beach, Perdido) to be a perfect place to enjoy a peaceful water experience. But there’s a catch.

“These beaches are extremely crowded- especially in the summer. So I have two recommendations,” Jeff exhorts, which are:

1) Don’t go during the summer or Spring Break. Too crowded! We used to spend Thanksgivings there, and we had it almost to ourselves.

2) If you do go during the summer, sit on the beach early in the morning and watch the sunrise or late in the day and watch the sunset. This is a perfect way to begin and end your day!

Get Close to a Lake!

Don’t put off better health. Look at some lakeside, oceanview, and riverfront properties on Lake! Your mind and body will thank you (and maybe your family, too!).

Start your vacation planning now and dream big on Lake.com.