Issue #164: The Power of Water
Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 6th.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: Head Out to The Water
Speed Read: The 8 Wonders of the World
Thursday Night In: Chili-Ginger Pork
Moment of Fun: Longest Barrel Ride
“In time and with water, everything changes.”
The ride time for one of the longest waves every ridden - Picuruta Salazar went over 12 km (7.4 miles) in the Brazilian Amazon. (Source)
From the Lab
It’s no secret that surfing and being on the water is my special place.
Your daily “problems” seem to be put in a little better perspective after starting your day literally sitting on the ebbs and flows of the ocean while watching the sunrise as a sea lion or dolphin jumps a few hundred yards away.
But I’m not actually a great surfer. I’m not riding giants and during some hour-long sessions might only be up on my board for a few rides.
I swear I’ve gotten bigger waves!
So what is it about the water?
According to Dr. Mathew White, when sailing, surfing or swimming, “you’re really in tune with natural forces there – you have to understand the motion of the wind, the movement of the water. We’re kind of getting back in touch with our historical heritage, cognitively.”
In other words, water is immersive. We get into a meditative state and stop ruminating on those negative thoughts running through our heads.
But you don’t need to be in the water - just walking the beach gives you the sense of peace and calm from the waves and tides - it’s why we use the wave sound on our kids noise machine to help them get into that relaxed mode to fall asleep.
The reality though is that the coast isn’t available to most of us - especially on a daily basis.
Turns out that really any water (provided it isn’t some stagnant, polluted cesspool) helps us lower stress and boost our mood. It can be as simple as sitting by a fountain if you’re stuck in a city without many ponds/lakes.
It’s almost weird the gravitational pull of our kids to run around the fountain in our local neighborhood.
But kids really do know best.
Happier adults more frequently played in water as kids. The familiarity and confidence in water - can be swimming in the ocean or even finding crayfish in creeks - stimulates a joy of nature in kids, which translates into a love for nature as adults and is associated with better mental health.
Need any inspiration for what to do on/in the water - here’s a pretty good LIST.
Underwater hockey anyone??
So head out to the water as often as you can - and don’t forget to bring the kids.
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
“Nature prescriptions” are now a thing. On par with diet, exercise, or adequate sleep, making nature exposure an essential part of your lifestyle is one of the best choices you can make for your health and wellness. NatureDose helps you get outside.
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
America’s Only “Blue Zone”: Loma Linda, CA is the place to find the most centenarians in the U.S. What stands out is their focus on social connection and community - find out more about this little town of 25,000. (Fortune)
More Living to 100: Similar to Loma Linda, many nuns outlive actuarial tables - and research cites the sense of “meaning,” strong social networks, and rejecting the stigma of “getting old.” (Live Science)
The 8 Wonders of Life: The Power of Awe - that response to something that amazes us and we don’t understand. We can find this in everyday life and need to impart on our kids to build their curiosity and willingness to be amazed without fear. (Big Think)
Thursday Night In | Chili-Ginger Pork
Talk about delicious - this meal’s got it all! Get your sulforaphane (Issue #3) from the broccoli, the beta-carotene from the carrots, quercetin from the onions, plus some ginger and almonds!
Moment of Fun | Longest Barrel Ride
Want something better than my wave? Here’s the longest barrel (surfing with the wave coming over top of you) from Koa Smith at Skeleton Bay, Namibia, in 2015 - lasting 27 seconds.
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.