By Rosie Markwick, Summersalt yoga teacher
Why do I love water so much? It’s a question I’ve found myself asking more and more lately. It’s not exactly new news that many of us feel an irresistible pull towards the water. Across time and cultures, water has been used to cleanse, tocelebrate, to heal, and to move. Civilizations have flourished around it, and we travel far and wide just to be near it. But what’s really going on behind this connection?
As a lifelong water lover, I know the feeling intimately. I can sit for hours watching waves roll in—something I rarely do anywhere else. Whenever my mind is anxious or busy, I find instant relief the moment I dive into a pool. Unsurprisingly, my work has led me to become both a SUP yoga teacher and a SUP instructor, fully immersed in the magic of water—literally and figuratively.
Why Do I Love Water So Much? The Science and Soul Behind the Feeling
In this work, I get a front-row seat to people’s transformations. In the heart of a bustling city like London, I’ve seen clients show up to paddleboarding sessions nervous, quiet, or tightly wound—and leave noticeably calmer, brighter, and more grounded. Yes, trying something new can boost confidence. But what unfolds on the water often goes deeper. Conversations spark more freely, and openness flows more naturally. It’s not just about activity—it’s about atmosphere.
And this isn’t just anecdotal. The more I observe, the more fascinated I’ve become with the why. Why does water affect us so profoundly?
My ongoing research has surfaced two powerful explanations.
First, there’s biology. Just being near water—let alone in or on it—can stimulate the release of relaxin and serotonin: the hormones responsible for relaxation and happiness. In other words, water calms us on a chemical level.
The Psychology of Why We Love Water: Blue Mind & Beyond
Then there’s the work of Wallace J. Nichols, who coined the term Blue Mind—a state of calm, peace, and contentment sparked simply by being near water. According to Nichols, our brains are hardwired to respond positively to water, unlocking creativity, connection, and even healing.
The second explanation comes from the realm of transpersonal psychology. Water is not just an element—it’s nature, mystery, and metaphor rolled into one. When we step slightly out of our comfort zones and into nature, we gain perspective. We realize our smallness and strength at the same time. That moment of awe—that “I’m okay even here”—can become a powerful inner resource.
Wilderness therapy already leans on this principle. But I’d argue water-based activities like SUP and SUP yoga may offer an especially potent dose. Floating, balancing, breathing—you feel alive, capable, and calm, all at once.
Why Do I Love Water So Much? Here’s What I’ve Learned
So, why do I love water so much? Because water does something to us—on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.Whether it’s the calming effect on our nervous systems, the honest conversations that seem to flow more freely, or the deeper self-realizations that rise to the surface, water connects us to something profound.
If you’re already a certified water baby—now you know there’s real science and psychology behind it. And if you’re not quite sure yet, I invite you to give it a try. Step onto a board, dip into a pool, or simply sit near a body of water and notice how you feel. You just might start asking yourself the same question: why do I love water so much?
Wallace J Nichols’s book “Blue Mind” explains why we love being by the water so much!