BLUE MIND
BLUE MIND refers to the mildly meditative state that we feel when we’re near, in, on, or under water that gives us a sense of well-being and connectedness to the world.
Whether we’re aware of it or not, we’re all connected to water; however, our relationship with water is broken, our oceans and waterways severely degraded, and their benefits to humanity undervalued.
Blue Mind helps us to connect the dots -neuroscience and economics, nature and conservation, art and science, water and wellness, poetry and practice – in profoundly important new ways.
Neuroconservation uses our cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual connections to nature as powerful motivators and catalyst for conservation and restoration activities.
BLUE MIND is a concept popularized by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols in his landmark book, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do on the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being.
Blue Mind Research & References
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, Or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do is a bestselling book by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols about the effects bodies of water have on human health and well-being.
— From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Mind
Blue Mind Reading Group Guide
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/littlebrown-rgg-bluemind_readinggroupguide.pdf
Collected reports and publications related to and cited in Blue Mind.
https://www.wallacejnichols.org/467/bluemind-research.html
Find Your Water: Seven Forms of BLUE MIND
Wild Blue Mind: lakes, rivers, oceans, rain, waterfalls, ponds, ice, snow, etc.
Domestic Blue Mind: pools, tubs, showers, sprinklers, cold plunges and even your sink
Urban Blue Mind: public waterfronts and fountains around your town or city
Virtual Blue Mind: artworks, photography, film, sculpture, prose, poetry, music, recording of water, VR/AR, or any other physical depiction of water where water isn’t present
Imaginary Blue Mind: formed of the multi-sensory memories and nostalgia for any form of water, easily conjured up by our powerful imaginations
Embodied Blue Mind: water is the basis of all life on Earth–we are mostly water, as is all life, animals and plants—from the food we consume to the forests and gardens we visit.
Metaphorical Blue Mind: water is the greatest source of metaphors among our languages and these verbal cues provide a subtle and useful sense of Blue Mind.
Source: https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/benefits-of-a-blue-mind/
Annual Blue Mind Events
Practice #bluemind daily — for life — wherever you are.
And bring someone with you!
100 Days of Blue Mind Challenge – From Memorial Day to Labor Day
The idea is simple: get near, in, on or under water daily. If you miss a day, don’t worry!
Invite someone who needs it to join you from time to time. Share your stories in any way you like.
If you’re on social media use the #bluemind hashtag so fellow water-lovers can easily follow along.
World Blue Mind Day – July 23rd
World Blue Mind Day is celebrated annually on July 23 to recognize the emotional and mental health benefits of spending time near, in, on, or under healthy bodies of water. The day honors the late marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols and his bestselling book, Blue Mind.
Blue Mind Summits, the annual meetings and workshops organized by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, were attended by scientists, advocates, artists. Blue Mind partners and practitioners and open water swimmers present Blue Mind research and Blue Mind media to support innovative and highly collaborative work while partnering with nonprofit organizations, a wide range of international students, and businesses across many sectors to ultimately lead a bigger, wider, stronger blue movement for wild, healthy oceans and waterways. https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Blue_Mind_Summit