From cool-down pools in ancient Egypt, to ancient Roman baths, humanity has always had an obsession to build pools for relaxation and beautification.
Marine biologist Wallace Nichols says the human obsession with pools is born out of the way our brains are hardwired.
“We react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what’s broken,” Nichols told surfing website The Inertia.
“We have a blue mind, and it’s perfectly tailored to make us happy in all sorts of ways that go way beyond relaxing in the surf, listening to the murmur of a stream, or floating quietly in a pool.”
Neuroscientist Michael Crawford of the University of North London agrees, saying humanity has always been devoted to the sea.
When humans separated from apes and emerged from the forests of Africa, they stuck close to rivers and beaches and started feasting on fish, clams and crabs, Crawford told LiveScience.
That marine diet was packed with omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids that promote brain cell growth.
Here are the top 10 most incredible swimming pools in the world:
10) Hanging Gardens, Bali
9) Mardan Palace, Turkey
8) Devil’s Pool, South Africa
7) Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
6) Blue Lagoon, Iceland
5) Seagaia Ocean Dome, Japan
4) Nemo 33, Belgium
3) The Cambrian Hotel, Switzerland
2) Intercontinental City Hotel, Dubai
1) Crystal Lagoon, Egypt
