Who would have thought how much of a psychological effect water has on a person? The sounds of water affect perception and other processes in the body: it calms, relieves stress and even slows the heart rate.
A rush of inspiration in the shower
The best ideas come to us while taking a shower. Is this true or myth? Research Essay Map confirms that this phenomenon is not a myth. Consider the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, who made one of his most important discoveries while taking a bath. His triumphant cry of "Eureka!" went down in history.
Let's take a trip back in time
The explanation of the phenomenon in question lies in human evolution and dates back to the primate stage. Under those conditions, sudden, loud and unusual sounds signaled danger, while natural sounds did not. For example, cries signaled the approach of a wild animal and awakened sleeping individuals. Even now, humans are more likely to be awakened by a sudden sound, such as a telephone ringing, than by a monotonous sound, such as highway noise. Thus, the measured splash of water signals the absence of danger and therefore calms the psyche, displacing other background sounds.
Water as a trend
The discovery of this effect has resonated widely, which has manifested itself in the creation of many related applications. For example, an app that analyzes sleep biorhythms plays soothing background noises. Many hours of tracks with water sounds can be found on YouTube: some help you fall asleep, others help you concentrate do my homework.
Water Sounds and the Urban Environment
Does water retain its beneficial effects when combined with other loud sounds? Experiments are being conducted in an urban environment with car noise firmly embedded in it. The question that many researchers are looking for an answer to is whether the pleasant sounds of water can neutralize unpleasant traffic noise?
The answer is a confident yes! On some level, even that is possible. Either way, the splash of water has a positive effect in all cases.
The diving reflex
However, water affects us not only through hearing - it is proven that physical contact with water is also beneficial for humans. This is due to the diving reflex, which is especially pronounced in newborns. As soon as the face is submerged in water, breathing stops, heartbeat slows down and blood circulation is centralized. This reaction is caused by stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. It reduces the supply of oxygen to the vital organs in order to prolong the possibility of being under water. This effect is also used specifically to relieve panic attacks - the face is splashed with water or immersed in a bowl of water for a few seconds to slow the pulse.
By the way, static swimming on the surface of the water calms the more active brain waves, and the brain switches to the theta frequency of a meditative state of rest.
Wherever we look, water never ceases to amaze us with its sensory effects. Not only does it literally keep us alive, but it improves health and well-being by affecting the senses.