It’s true. Jumping into Barton Springs, hitting swim practice, diving into Lake Austin or skinny dipping in the ocean just before midnight (yes, that happened last week in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) washes away stress and makes me feel like Mother Nature is cradling me in her arms. Plus, it keeps me fit.

Last week, I headed to Lake Austin Spa Resort to meet Wallace J. Nichols, author of “Blue Mind,” a book that explains, in scientific terms, all the reasons why getting in, on or near the water make us feel better. Nichols grew up spending lots of time in the water surfing, swimming and canoeing, and it’s become his mission to encourage others to jump in, too.

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