There are more than 1,000 waterfalls in North Carolina, and in addition to being a stunning part of the state’s landscape, there is compelling evidence that they can be therapeutic for a variety of mental health issues. May is not only the perfect time of year to visit waterfalls and experience many of their healing properties, but it is also an excellent time to take a moment and reflect on Mental Health Awareness month and activities to support your health. mental that are perhaps a little more out of the ordinary. box – or off the grid – than usual.
What is it about waterfalls that draws us to them? Trees, animals, scenic landscapes, and all sorts of other things in nature draw us in, but few things affect us like waterfalls do. However, looking at photos of waterfalls does not give the same feeling. The experience of seeing a waterfall is something unique and some would say, addictive.
Some suggest that this attraction is due to the negative ions produced by the cascades, which are believed to increase serotonin, the hormone that generates feelings of well-being. While scientific studies are scarce on this theory, there are studies, such as one from 2013 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, linking exposure to nature with better mental well-being.
While an increase in serotonin may be partly responsible for a better mood in waterfalls, there are other aspects of standing in front of a waterfall that are possible reasons for improved mental health.
The waterfalls are an extraordinary sensory experience. We see beauty with our eyes, feel the dew on our skin, hear the roar with our ears, smell the plants and flowers, and taste the air with tiny drops of water from the falls. Engaging all of your senses can at least take your mind off more intense thoughts and help free you, even for a few moments, from depression and anxiety. In fact, there are several studies indicating that simply being in nature and the fresh air helps lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety and stress, and promote a healthier lifestyle. Studies conducted in other “blue spaces,” such as the beach and lakes, indicate similar mental health benefits, such as increased mindfulness, lower stress, better mental clarity, and overall calm.
The exciting part about waterfalls acting as mental health healing vessels is the anecdotal evidence. The emails I have received from people who have overcome extraordinary challenges and put themselves on the path to living authentically with the help of waterfalls are amazing.
One woman, Dawn, was struggling with alcohol addiction and other habits that had a negative impact on her health. She decided to visit a waterfall, and while it was difficult, she liked waterfalls enough to rise to the challenge of seeing as many waterfalls on her list as possible. The difficulties she experienced at first gradually subsided and by the time she was halfway through, she was in much better shape and was drinking less. By the time she finished the challenge, she had lost almost 100 pounds and had stopped drinking. This is not to say that all you need to do to solve all your problems is visit a waterfall. That’s not how it works. The waterfalls didn’t stop Dawn from drinking. Alba did. But hiking to the waterfalls gave her something she needed to take that extra step she hadn’t been able to take before. Everybody needs something. The wonderful thing about waterfalls is that they provide more “something” than just about any other experience in nature.
The pandemic has led to record numbers of visitors to state and national parks and forests, and they aren’t leaving. Why do they stay? What do they get out of their outdoor experiences? The stress and exhaustion of the past few years are real, but so is taking a walk in the woods or visiting waterfalls to help manage that stress.
I am convinced that there is a real physiological response to being in the waterfall. There is a real desire to go to the waterfalls, help keep them clean for future generations, and share the love of them with others who may not be aware of their extraordinary mental health benefits.
See what all the hype about waterfalls is about and visit one for yourself? Pay attention to how you react, bring a journal, take some photos, sit on a rock and be present in the moment. You may find a new and healthy addiction to waterfalls.
Kevin Adams is founder and director of Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina and author of “North Carolina Waterfalls.”
