There’s no better way to describe our aquatic metropolis than in the words of the ancient mariner: “Water, water every where.” Here in Miami, water is kind of our thing. It washes up on our shores, soaks us from above, floods businesses on Alton Road. And eventually,we’ll be under it altogether.
But in the meantime, water is our best asset. And according to the author, conservationist, and marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, its influence on the human mind and heart is pretty astounding. His New York Times bestselling book, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, outlines the myriad ways water can improve our lives. We caught up with Wallace while he was in town to speak with him about water’s ability to reduce stress, red mind versus blue mind, and why Miamians don’t seem to be reaping the rewards of our waterlogged locale.