Maytronics: Your Pool is the Perfect Background for Meditation

Take a second to imagine the sound of water. Think waves crashing at the beach, or the sound of rain hitting your window. For most, these sounds are almost instantly relaxing. If you are a lucky pool owner, you know just the feeling of calm that comes with being around water.

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in meditation. Those who meditate regularly find the practice to relieve stress, increase focus, and create a greater sense of calm. Other benefits include improved memory, better sleep, and depression management. Part of what makes meditation so popular is that it can be practiced anywhere – in your bed, car, on a park bench, or even on the couch. For the lucky among us though, a pool is the perfect backdrop for regular meditation practice.

Take a second to imagine the sound of water. Think waves crashing at the beach, or the sound of rain hitting your window. For most, these sounds are almost instantly relaxing. If you are a lucky pool owner, you know just the feeling of calm that comes with being around water. Some research has shown that the sounds water makes can be extremely relaxing, largely thanks to its gradual, non-threatening nature. In addition, the movement of water has also been shown to slow down brain waves. Together with a meditation practice, you can feel the ultimate calm while poolside.

Few things are more rejuvenating and fun than spending time outdoors. But spending time outdoors isn’t just fun – it’s good for us. Along with fewer distractions, spending time outdoors can also improve your health and happiness. Coupled with the benefits of meditation, taking a few minutes for deep breathing and introspection outdoors can directly benefit your mood. According to a 2019 article published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, even 20 minutes spent outdoors can improve well-being. According to the study, park visitors experienced significant improvement in affect and life satisfaction after their time outdoors.

According to author and researcher Wallace J. Nichols, just the presence of water can help take a break. According to Nichols, “When we step away from our high-stressed lives and step into nature, we get a shift. Physiologically, our brains and bodies change. We relax, and the quality of our thoughts changes. A different brain network activates. That brain network is available for a completely different kind of quality of thought which is much more introspective and self-referential.” This introspection is ideal for meditation.

Few places are as relaxing and calming as warm, sandy beaches. Though most of us aren’t lucky to live on deserted islands or near jaw-dropping beaches (we wish!), our backyard pool can serve as a great alternative. Spending some time meditating near your pool can help you feel as relaxed as you are on vacation, without having to leave home.