There’s something almost magnetic about water in summer. Whether it’s the pull of a mountain lake, the rhythmic sound of waves, or just the steam rising from your evening bath, water calls to us in a way that feels both primal and deeply restorative.
My 19-year-old son recently reminded me of water’s remarkable healing properties after a Central Oregon mountain climb. Demolished by mosquitos, he turned to a mountain-fed creek. Four 55-degree dips later, the swelling had dramatically reduced—and his nervous system began to settle. The healing power of water—it’s not just folklore.
Why Does Immersion Feel So Healing? The Science Behind Water’s Therapeutic Effects
Cold Water:
Activates the sympathetic nervous system
Releases natural painkillers and mood boosters like norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and cortisol
Regular cold exposure can train your nervous system to better handle stress.
If you can breathe through the shock of a cold mountain creek (or cold shower!), you’re building resilience that translates into new neurological pathways to handle everyday stressors.
Warm Water:
Activates the parasympathetic nervous system
Hot springs, warm baths, and heated pools promote vasodilation, improving circulation, helping muscles release tension, and enabling a hot body to cool down before bed.
The warmth activates your body’s “rest and digest” mode, which is another reason why a hot bath before bed is such a reliable sleep aid.
Sound of Water:
Even the sound of it can soothe the nervous system.
It activates your brain’s default mode network, similar to meditation, which explains why sitting near water feels so calming and restorative —
You’re literally shifting your brain into a more relaxed state.
Summer Water Rituals With Therapeutic Benefits:
Morning lake swims or ocean dips: Cold water + morning light = circadian regulation, energy boost, and mood support that lasts for hours.
Paddle boarding or kayaking: Rhythmic movement + vestibular input + full-body focus = a form of moving meditation.
Evening hot baths: Promote melatonin production, reduce tension, and improve sleep. Add Epsom salts for magnesium support.
Cold plunges: Reduce inflammation, elevate mood, and build nervous system strength in 30–120 seconds. Start small.
Water companionship: Sit near water with a friend—or watch your dog swim. Combine the mental health benefits of nature + connection.
Make Water Part of Your Summer Wellness Routine
You don’t need access to a lake or ocean to experience the benefits of water immersion.
Try:
💦 A cold morning shower
💦 A warm bath before bed
💦 A quiet moment beside a fountain
💦 Wading at the dog park
What matters is the intention. Consider approaching water as a “practice”, not just a recreational experience. Pay attention to what your body needs—and how you feel after.
Water is one of the simplest, most natural tools we have to calm the nervous system, improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and reconnect with ourselves.
Warmly,
Dr. Krista
Olive Says:
Mom keeps talking about “cold plunges” but I prefer my water shallow—
Just enough for some wading, a drink, and a front row seat of local duck behavior!