Four Ways That Water Features Ease Your Body And Mind

One indisputable fact is taught in biology courses throughout the world: water is the foundation of life. If you ask a passerby on the street what they know about molecular biology, with the right prompts, they will eventually utter this statement. Contextually, the importance that we endow this chemical substance makes perfect sense – we ourselves are composed of 70% water, as is the surface of the Earth itself.  

Water is so important that, despite building towering skyscrapers and sprawling cities that stand in stark juxtaposition to the chaos of nature, we do everything we can to implement its meandering ways into our everyday lives. Case in point – architectural water features. These structures form an important aesthetic component of many cities, including Vancouver, and even help define the places where they are built (think Bellagio fountains in Vegas).

Aside from creating an enticing visual experience, water features have much more to offer. As you will see in the points below, they continue to serve a biological purpose for city-goers, and offer a number of surprising health benefits. Read on…

1. Cardiovascular Benefits

The relaxing sensation that you may feel while relaxing near a water source is not a placebo. Through the course of many studies, it has been decisively concluded that running water helps lower blood pressure and steady heart rates. Those suffering from cardiovascular issues can benefit exponentially from these traits, hence the inclusion of water features in many retirement homes.

2. The Blue Mind Effect

Coined by scientist and activist Wallace J. Nichols, ‘The Blue Mind Effect’ is an umbrellas statement that aligns with the psychological benefits of water. Being in close proximity to any body of water can reduce levels of cortisol, also known as the ‘stress hormone’. All forms of running water can help induce the ‘Blue Mind’ state, hence its auditory presence within many meditation tapes and recordings. Although Vincent Helton & Associate’s architectural features are rooted in urban environments, they are designed to mimic nature in ways that promote this state of psychological wellness.

3.  Cleaner Air

Few things are more enjoyable than taking a breath of cool, fresh air while sitting next to a source of running water. This feeling is emulated through water features, which are engineered to cycle water, as well as the air around them. The orchestrated movement of the water itself causes dust particles and other airborne detritus to be drawn to, and picked up by, the ebbs and flows, which acts to purify the air. Water features also serve to de-ionize the environment around them, a electromagnetic phenomenon that can help boost serotonin levels and promote a calming sensation.

4. Nature, In The City

We are not the only organisms that enjoy spending time around, or in, bodies of water. Even in a dense urban environment, these architectural features serve as important meeting places for a wide variety of birds, bugs, and other creatures. For many, the simple act of bird watching is a tranquil practice that can help produce a sense of introspection and contemplation. This can be very impactful when one is constantly surrounded by the stresses that align with a metropolitan setting.

Writing a blog post that encapsulates the importance of water itself is a nigh impossible task. Thankfully, capturing just some of the health benefits that architectural water features can promote is much more manageable. Since 1983, Vincent Helton & Associates has been a leader in the Pacific’s Northwest in architectural water feature designs. With over 1,000 projects under our belts, our team of designers is proud to promote the health and well-being of our neighbours in local communities.