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

By: Wallace J. Nichols, Céline Cousteau - foreword

Narrated by: Wallace J. Nichols

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

A landmark book by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols on the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being.

Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success.

Blue Mind not only illustrates the crucial importance of our connection to water - it provides a paradigm shifting "blueprint" for a better life on this Blue Marble we call home.

©2014 Wallace J. Nichols (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Alright.

Pretty common sense info repeated multiple different ways by listing multiple different studies that don’t truly scientifically prove the author’s point. Narration is dull and feels spliced together. A perfect example of when authors shouldn’t narrate.

Not what I expected

It had a LOT more brain science, that hadnothing to do with water, than I expected. While I agree that being around is beneficial and calming, and mostly agree with a lot of the arguments made, the book ventured off the path quite a bit and struggled to keep my attention at times.

I Highly Recommend This Book!

Wow There was so much covered in this book and in such a clear fashion. I listened to the whole book while walking the beach or while just looking at the Pacific Ocean. And I can't believe how much this book has changed the way feel about the Ocean. It cracked open my Blue Mind and I can't wait to listen to it again. Very well written and researched! It's also the very first book that I've ever listened to where the author reads The acknowledgments at the end of the book - very nice touch. It showed the sincerity of the author.

Great!

The beach is my happy place & Blue Mind helped me to have a scientific understanding to go with my instictive one.

Inspired

I founded a therapeutic sailing program in 2020. I’ve been struggling to articulate why sailing makes almost anyone who does it feel better until now. Thank you.

Transformative... the author is a classic storyteller.

Simply put, this book explained why I was compelled to be near water. Aren’t we all? Doesn’t matter why to most of us at first... but once you understand that WATER IS MEDICINE you will listen to what your mind/body/soul is saying... your Blue Mind. It’s saying it needs water to survive, to relax, to find peace, to have fun, to exercise, to feel the “rush”, to heal, to mourn, to celebrate, to feel complete. I always knew this... now I “get it” and have a name for it. Transformative narrative you can’t read or listen to just once. Thank you J. I wish you water too.

go get in some WATAHHHH

this book was reassuring in so many ways, making me realize how amazing people are with all the foundations people have to make sure we strive to keep things blue mind like. I feel like this review sounds like non sense because I'm writing it first thing after waking up :)

life changing

Its changed the way I look at health and the world. I'm proud to be a Blue Mind.

Not quite "Blue Mind"

Although the book was well written and well performed, I felt that not enough information and attention was actually paid to the interaction of body, brain, and water. There was great information regarding the brain in many activities but as far as "Blue Mind", it should've been titled "The brain & activity" or something thereof. I'm glad I purchased the book but this is just my 2 cents on the whole package.

The "Bible" for professional who work with water.

As a pool construction company owner - I can't recommend this book enough!

We all know that being around water makes us feel better mentally, emotionally, and spiritually... This book provides the scientific verification of this.

I now have an entirely new perspective on what I do (build backyard swimming pools), and I have a new understanding of how much this benefits my clients.

I'm so glad I found this book - it put words to things I already knew, but had never really thought about.