Why do we feel so drawn to the ocean? 

I recently read in a European climate article that a wild sea is said to “stimulate the spirits, bringing strength, vitality, and opportunities to release anger. At the same time, a calm sea untangles a busy and overstimulated mind. It also encourages rest and helps soothe the pain one might feel mentally.” These words deeply resonate with me because I, too, find solace and clarity in the ocean’s presence.

For me, looking at the ocean is a powerful way to relieve stress and clear my mind. When I gaze out at the vast expanse of water, it feels like hitting the reset button on my thoughts. It allows me to reconnect with myself and my surroundings in a way nothing else can. My favorite spot to experience this sense of peace is the headlands just past the high school. Locally, we call it “the parking lot,” although it’s nothing more than bare land riddled with potholes. Despite its ruggedness, the view is breathtaking. From there, you get a nearly unobstructed panorama of the ocean. On clear days, when the sun sets behind the horizon, the scene becomes one of the most beautiful sights imaginable—a symphony of colors blending into the vast blue.

Research has shown that being near water has profound effects on our mental state. Our brains naturally find calmness around water, promoting positive emotions, innovation, and even healing from internal struggles. According to an article from The Inertia on Human and Aquatic Sciences, “When we are near, on, in, or underwater, we get a cognitive break because there is simply less information coming into our minds. Our brains don’t shut down when this happens—they simply keep working, just in a different way.” This insight is fascinating to me. Simply being near the ocean offers so many mental and physical benefits. It’s incredible how we are seemingly hardwired to find peace, inspiration, and even emotional release in the ocean’s presence. The soothing shades of blue, the rhythmic sounds of waves, and the salty breeze all seem to tap into something primal within us, releasing dopamine and activating opiate receptors in the brain.

Curious about others’ perspectives, I asked dozens of people how the ocean made them feel. Surprisingly, their responses were almost identical. Everyone described the ocean as calming, stress-relieving, and a source of peace. However, many noted that the ocean’s mood affected their own. For instance, my sister Gracey mentioned that she finds rough, choppy waves less calming than a still, serene sea. It’s as if the ocean reflects and amplifies our inner state, mirroring its energy in our emotions.

Interestingly, water also holds a significant role in life’s most meaningful ceremonies. From weddings to memorials, humans often choose to gather near water for events that mark beginnings, endings, and transitions. Perhaps this is because water symbolizes serenity and renewal—a calming presence that soothes the mind, body, and soul. Whether we realize it or not, the ocean has a way of connecting us to something greater, grounding us in moments of both joy and grief.

The ocean’s ability to evoke such a wide range of emotions—from awe to tranquility—is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a reminder of how interconnected we are with the natural world, and it’s no wonder that we’re instinctively drawn to its timeless beauty and power.