by Cindy Walker Burton

“Psychology Today” defines Blue Space as streams, waterfalls, ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans and seas. The Blue Gym refers to activities in blue spaces like paddle boarding, rafting, tubing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Blue Communities exist where folks fellowship in, on, or near water. Marine biologist Wallace Nichols calls the sense of peace that we feel around water Blue Mind. Humans have an innate attraction to refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, revitalizing water.

There are mental, physical and social benefits to Blue Space. Scripps Health cites these mental dividends: stress reduction (being on or near water lowers both your heart rate and anxiety), focus restoration (the sights and sounds of water boost creativity and concentration), and the promotion of peace (quiet water settings evoke a sense of calm). The physical advantages of Blue Space are that water environments encourage movement, inspire activity, and improve sleep. Social benefits include building connections, fostering fellowship, and creating social ties.

The gorgeous Gulf of Mexico at Destin, Florida, was my Blue Space for almost 30 years. Some of my fondest Blue Space memories are: my church’s annual baptisms in the Gulf, a pirate clipper ship cruise accompanied by playful dolphins, the serenity of a melting sunset from a friend’s yacht, the adrenaline of jet skiing, holding a pygmy octopus while snorkeling, getting stung by a moon jellyfish, catching a baby hammerhead shark while surf fishing, paddling Crab Island in my yellow kayak named Banana Split, pontoon parties in the East Pass, glass bottom boat rides, fearlessly swimming way out into the warm Gulf (and then recalling the movie Jaws), peaceful paddle boarding, serene sailing, brave attempts at surfing, witnessing a terrifying towering water spout, hurricanes whipping up whopping waves to unbelievable heights, spotting a humpback whale, and seeing a shark fin crease the water within yards of unwary swimmers (once again, Jaws recall).

Show you some Blue Space in the Show Me State? I’ll show them off now. Get your Blue Fix on the Mighty Missouri River, Table Rock Lake, or Big Lake. Missouri has nearly 300 major named public lakes and reservoirs, plus 2,700 community lakes and ponds (source: Expert GPS). Find your true Blue Mind while boating or floating, fishing or wishing, water skiing or ice tea-ing, swimming or skimming, tubing or cubing, canoeing or viewing, kayaking or yakety yakking.

Seek and you will find Blue Community unity. Your Blue Adventure awaits you, so Go Blue or go home. Find your Blue Space and put on a happy face!