Still Water, Clear Thought

She sat beside the lake, watching the surface ripple and return to calm. Research in environmental psychology shows that viewing natural water environments, often called blue spaces, is associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and lower psychological distress (White et al. 2).

The steady movement of the water gave her thoughts somewhere to rest. Studies also suggest that quiet reflection in natural settings supports emotional regulation and self-acceptance by reducing cognitive overload (Kaplan 170). As the water stilled, she felt grounded, reminded that calm does not erase complexity. It simply gives the mind room to breathe.

Works Cited (MLA)

Kaplan, Stephen. “The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol. 15, no. 3, 1995, pp. 169–182.
White, Mathew P., et al. “Spending at Least 120 Minutes a Week in Nature Is Associated with Good Health and Well-Being.” Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 7730, 2019, pp. 1–11.