Over the busy holiday season, it becomes even more important to slow down and take a deep breath, so you can feel less frazzled and more present. Picture this: you are standing under a canopy of monkeypod trees. Lush palms and ferns surround you. Dappled sunlight sways gently on the ground around you. You can feel the warm glow. The constant sound of gently flowing water nearby makes you feel at ease. As you inhale deeply, your mind unclenches, stress melts away, you feel calm and centered. You find yourself basking in a blissful state of euphoria.
You open your eyes slowly to see that you are at the Mermaid Room of the Allerton Gardens in Lawai. The fountain you are standing by is intentionally designed to undulate at a rhythm of 52-54 pulses per minute – the ideal resting heart rate. Not only are you experiencing your heart rate syncing to the pulsation of the water flow – decreasing your blood pressure, you are surrounding yourself in an environment steeped in negative ions. As a result, you are facilitating biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost energy.
What is it about being near water that makes us feel so relaxed? Some might say it is the soothing acoustics (intentional or not). Some would say it is the glistening of the sunlight on the water, or the comfort of knowing there is a clean water source nearby. Some would argue that it is the negative ions that occur near flowing water.
Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments, such as beaches, or near streams or waterfalls. They are created when oxygen molecules are broken apart with sunlight, or movement from air or water. Screens, devices and air conditioning are not conducive to negative ions, making it more necessary than ever to find ways to decompress.
So what can I do to increase my negative ion intake using water? A quick fix is as simple as a refreshing shower. If you have more time, a walk outside near moving water, a day at the beach, or a trip to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens are all naturally rich negative ion environments. If you can’t do any of those, water features are another way to include the benefits of flowing water in or near your home.
Whether it be an indoor table-top fountain, a self-contained bubbling floor fountain, a trickling water-wall, a custom design, or a gushing rock waterfall, we have plenty of ideas for you to consider at Garden Ponds.
With a water feature or fountain you will enjoy:
- Wildlife—If you are a lover of nature, a water feature will soon become the most important part of your garden. Flowing water attracts, birds and pollinators. (Note: moving water does not attract mosquitos)
- Home Value —When you add a well-designed water feature to your yard, your curb appeal increases, and the environment is enhanced, adding value.
- Noise Pollution—We sometimes want to drown out sounds of cars passing or neighbors talking. A trickling pond or fountain will reduce the noise pollution in your yard and can even create a space where your own conversations can be more private.
- Air Quality—Flowing water releases negative ions, which has a psychological and physiological impact on our well-being.
These features will help to reduce stress, lower heart rate and blood pressure, increase feelings of tranquility, positive emotional responsiveness, improved concentration and perception, and improve memory restoration. Most importantly, it creates a space that invites you to slow down and allow yourself even a few moments in your day to offset the stressors of the modern world. Give your mind and body a place to absorb the negative ions, sounds and sights of flowing water, and feel at peace.
We invite you to take advantage of our Gift Certificate Bonus!
Purchase a $100 gift certificate on our online store (www.indopacificemporium.com) to use in-store or online and get an additional $20 to spend for yourself or someone else. Just visit www.indopacificemporium.com and search ‘gift certificate’.
View some easy fountain ideas at our online store here and be sure to come to see what we have available at the nursery.
Garden Ponds is located in Kilauea, next to the Kauai Mini Golf and is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Give us a call at 808-828-6400 or email us at [email protected]
The Mermaid Room fountain at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens is intentionally designed to slow your heart rate.
