What Is Pool Forming and the Advantages of Building My Pool with Forms
What Is Pool Forming? Pool forming is the process of building a temporary structure that shapes the walls, steps, and features of your pool while...
How Swimming and Water Features Improve Mental Health, Reduce Pain, and Boost Wellness
Do you feel mentally drained, physically tense, or like your body never fully recovers, no matter how much rest you get?
Have you wondered if there’s a natural way to feel better that doesn’t involve another prescription, appointment, or screen?
You’re not imagining it; modern life is overstimulating, and being disconnected from nature has a negative impact on our well-being. However, science reveals that being near or in water can profoundly reset both your mind and body.
In this article, we’ll break down three powerful ways water improves your mental and physical health, and how specific pool features can bring these benefits to your own backyard.
How Water Features Boost Mood, Energy, and Mental Health
Feeling blue is the problem, and water is the solution.
You’ve probably noticed how calming the sound of rain is, or why watching waves crash feels meditative. That’s not a coincidence backed by neuroscience.
Water environments emit negative ions, which counteract the overwhelming positive ions emitted by electronics and indoor environments. The result? A natural increase in serotonin, oxygen flow to the brain, and overall mood stabilization.
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols calls this calming effect “Blue Mind,” a mild, meditative state that water helps trigger. It's the antidote to “Red Mind,” which describes the anxious, overstimulated modern lifestyle.
Pool waterfalls and fountains can recreate the Blue Mind experience right at home. With soothing sounds and gentle motion, they help reduce stress and restore calm, especially when integrated into your daily environment.
Your outdoor space can become a sanctuary for decompression and clarity—with the right pool features in place.
Being around Water brings pain relief.
Suffering from chronic pain can make you feel like a sitting duck, at the mercy of the brutal and unpredictable next flare-up.
Through the intentional use of certain water features, chronic pain can begin to drift away. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water-based exercise can decrease joint pain.
Hydrotherapy Spas, in particular, have proven to be an extremely effective water feature for individuals suffering from arthritis. Hydrotherapy uses warm water to increase circulation during exercise, while the massaging jets reduce the pressure of the water on your joints. These healing effects are not limited to a hydrotherapy tub at your physical therapy appointment! They can be achieved in your outdoor space by adding massage therapy spa jets and a pool heater. These game-changing water features installed in your pool can also radically transform your post-workout pain.
We all know that the day after a workout, soreness makes us wonder if it was even worth it. Instead of struggling to make it from your front entrance and up the stairs to collapse on your memory foam mattress, you can skip the brutal journey by opting for your water-feature-enhanced pool first! The massaging jets circulate the water, accelerating the recovery process by stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps flush out toxins. Coupled with soaking in warm water (courtesy of your pool heater), the stress and muscle tension is relieved.
The result? Recovery on your terms, AND on your turf!
Another water feature with impressive pain reduction benefits is cold plunges. The icy cold water helps regulate the release of hormones. After the initial “shock” of being submerged in extremely cold water, many people experience an elevated mood. This is likely due to the brain being on alert and sending a self-preservation message to our bodies. This causes the release of endorphins and increased dopamine levels, hormones that act as natural painkillers, which have been shown to improve mood and reduce stress.
Consistent pain relief doesn’t have to include a trip to the pharmacy when your pool and spa are just across your veranda. Alexa, play “Rolling in the Deep.”
Being Around Water Prevents Health Issues
Filters have never been more relevant than they are now; they sanitize our pictures, stripping away any flaws or natural appearances. The same can be said for the typical swimming pool; its water is stripped and sanitized by a load of artificial chemicals. In both cases, the result is toxic to our well-being.
Pool water treated with chlorine and other chemicals are not good for our bodies. These harsh chemicals can cause eye irritation, hormone disruption, asthma, dry and itchy skin, and allergies. As much as we’d love to be in our #nofilter era, swimming pools do need some sanitation system to clean the water. That’s where natural swimming pools come in.
Natural swimming pools prevent these health issues because they use zero chemicals. Instead, they utilize hydraulic and biological processes to clean the water. The pool has two sections: a swimming area for relaxation and recreation and a water garden for purification and regeneration.
This design reflects the biodiversity and function of the natural environment; water circulates constantly from the swimming section through the water garden. This water garden is essentially a pond with an ecosystem full of water-loving plants. These plants absorb the bacteria and act as natural filters, keeping your water pure and clean.
With the right design and filtration system, your pool can be a safe space that prevents health issues and keeps toxic damage from compromising your well-being.
Your Blue Mind is on the Horizon
Come on in, the water’s fine! After reading this article, that saying has more depth than you initially may have thought.
Peace of mind and good health are within reach. With your newfound knowledge of the holistic benefits of being near water, physical and mental burnout does not have to be your reality. By adding the right water features to your outdoor space, you can grow right where you’re planted.
If you’re ready to learn more about how installing a swimming pool can transform your space into a sanctuary, we are here to help. J Designs Pool and Spa has 17 years of experience building water features that resonate with each client’s unique needs. In other words, we understood the assignment.
Retreat from an exhausting reality should not be your last option; retreat should be your daily reality.
Our services, just like your pool’s diving board, can help launch you onwards and upwards to health and wholeness. It’s up to you to take the leap. Contact us and schedule a consultation!
Excited to wash away your pain, but still need more information on which pool and water features are ideal for your blue space? No rush; you have to dip your toe in the water before diving in.
Check out these related articles for more information:
Everything You Need to Know About Automatic Pool Covers (2025 Update)
Have you ever wondered whether automatic pool covers are worth the investment? Are they truly safe or just an expensive add-on for your swimming pool?
How to Clean Tile Without Damage: Safe Methods That Work
Daniela Escudero: Oct 1, 2025
Think cleaning your tile is simple?