The 22nd of March marks World Water Day and you will struggle to find anybody who celebrates it more than Dr Wallace J. Nichols. He believes passionately in the power of water, so much so he signs his emails off with the phrase, “I wish you water.” 

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After working as a marine biologist in California, he started developing his own psychological theory which he coined Blue Mind. His book, titled the same name, details how water can positively affect your mental health. He says: “When we are near, in, on or under water it can provoke a mildly meditative response that changes our brain’s neurochemistry. This change makes us happier, healthier and more relaxed.” 

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Mr Nichols holds Blue Mind summits across America which are attended by leading scientists and doctors. Subsequently, he believes his book could change the current thinking around mental health issues: “People are now beginning to realise the potential that water has on mental health and the number of practitioners in the field is rising.” 

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Cynics may laugh at Mr Nichols’ confidence in water’s ability to have healing powers on such a complex issue like mental health. But if you’re not going to take it from a kooky Californian, take it from a well-respected institution like Cambridge University. In a recent study, the university found that people who lived near a water source were on average happier and healthier than those who didn’t.