A Water Feature is Good For Your Health

That's a bold statement I hear you say, but it's true. Our bodies are made up of 50 - 70% of water, meaning it's not that hard to explain the affinity and sense of tranquillity we feel when near running water.

By welcoming a water feature into our homes and office we are aiding stress reduction in our lives. The sound of running water triggers an immediate soothing response which not only alleviates the symptons of stress but also high blood pressure and tension headaches.
Stress is what we feel when under pressure. A little pressure can be healthy and productive but like anything, too much is not a good thing and can be detrimental to our overall well being. Too much pressure or prolonged pressure can lead to stress.

When our bodies are under pressure we release chemicals that include Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These chemicals allow us to invoke our 'fight or flight' feelings when faced with a stressful situation. If a situation prevents us from 'fighting or escaping' e.g. when amongst a busy crowd, then they accumlate in our system and effect our physiological make up through raised blood pressure, heart rate and increased sweating. It can also prevent our immune system from functioning properly as well as releasing fat and sugar into our blood stream which can lead to complications such as a heart attack.

So why is a Water Feature good for my health?

Apparently the sound of running water is a genetic memory held within each of us reaching far back into our primitive past. This genetic memory sends off resonances deep within our limbic brain stem which also controls some of our basic actions such as breathing, hunger and the 'fight of flight' response which we now know as the primary cause of stress. So by getting back to our primitive roots and relaxing our senses within a natural environment we are promoting our physical and mental wellbeing.

Integrating water features into our busy metropolitan environments is by no means a new trend. It is a practice that goes all the way back to ancient civilisations and for the same reasons; people held busy lives, uncertain jobs (food supplies) and daily pressures that meant they felt the need to integrate with something primal that would help them relax and sooth their troubled minds.

So, water features do not only just look fabulous in the garden, office reception/board room, as centre pieces at events but they also play a significant part in maintaining our mental wellbeing.

Stress Facts

- 75% of illness is caused by stress (BMA)
- Each day a quarter of a million people are off from work due to stress
- In the UK, anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems, and the majority of cases are caused by stress.
- Research by mental health charities suggests that a quarter of the population will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

We hope you find first offering inspiring.

Live In harmony,

Jody
http://www.outdoorlivinguk.co.uk/