When it comes to planning the ideal vacation, many people focus on checking off famous sites, hitting up popular restaurants and covering as much ground as possible. But what if the secret to a truly fulfilling trip isn’t about how much you do but rather, your proximity to water?
Enter blue mind theory, a concept with the potential to reshape how travelers choose to spend their time away.
So what exactly is blue mind theory, and how might it guide your next vacation? HuffPost asked a few travel experts to break down the benefits, downsides and tips for taking this approach to travel.
What is blue mind theory?
“Blue mind theory is the idea that being near water ― whether it’s the ocean, a lake or a winding river ― has a calming effect on the brain,” Leigh Barnes, President of Americas at Intrepid Travel, told HuffPost. “And honestly, it just makes sense. There’s something about water that settles the nerves and clears the mental clutter. When the world gets a bit loud, being by water can feel like a giant exhale.”
So that sense of peace you experience by the ocean doesn’t just come from sipping your favorite beach resort pina colada (though it can help).
“As someone who’s spent a lot of time by the water, I fully believe in blue mind theory,” said travel blogger Esther Susag. “It’s why we feel instantly relaxed by the ocean or recharged after a swim in a lake. It’s less about sightseeing and more about re-centering. That’s why I always try to sneak in some beach time or even just a walk along a river when I travel.”
Research has actually backed up the idea that proximity to water can reduce stress, lower heart rate and boost feelings of wellbeing. And you don’t even have to touch or get in the water to get these benefits.
“The concept of blue mind theory captures the near meditative state of mind we enter when near, in, on, or under the water ― that sense of wellbeing, peace and calm,” said Graham Carter, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Croatia. “There is a magical quality to the rhythm of the waves, the far-reaching blue horizons and the gentle motion of the sea that helps to reset minds. It has a restorative effect unlike anything else.”
Lakes and oceans aren’t just pretty to look at ― they can also shift your mood.
“In contrast to the overstimulated, ‘red mind’ state of modern life, marked by stress, anxiety, and burnout, the ‘blue mind’ represents calm, clarity, and emotional balance,” said…
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