For the past month in Yellowknife, I rose early in the morning, sat on the balcony of my condo in Northern Heights and inhaled the fresh air and spectacular view of the Great Slave Lake. I felt at peace watching the pink glow of sunrise, and the calm waters.
This past week I read a Global News article entitled, “Science confirms that living near a large body of water makes us calmer and healthier.” Curious as to how bodies of water increase our well being, I set off on an extensive Google search.
The term 'blue space' is used to describes places that have visible water such as lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Yellowknife is surrounded by expanses of blue space including Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife River, and the many, many smaller lakes visible from the air.
The research pertaining to blue space is explained by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols in his bestselling book, Blue Mind. In it, he states: "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, states that water promotes mental health and happiness.
He continues: “Water can provide a long list of benefits for our mind and body, including lowering stress and anxiety, increasing an overall sense of well-being and happiness, a lower heart and breathing rate, and safe, better workouts. Aquatic therapists are increasingly looking to the water to help treat and manage PTSD, addiction, anxiety disorders, autism and more.'
I also learned being near water boosts creativity, can enhance the quality of conversations and provides a backdrop to important parts of living. That includes play, romance and grieving.
"All of this depends on these waters being safe, clean and healthy, of course," states Nichols.
First Nations have known the spiritual and health benefits of water for millennia. The Assembly of First Nations website honours the traditional teachings of water and declares it as the giver of all life.
“Water is the most life sustaining gift on Mother Earth and is the interconnection among all living beings,' it reads.
"Water sustains us, flows between us, within us, and replenishes us. Water is the blood of Mother Earth and, as such, cleanses not only herself, but all living things.
"Water comes in many forms and all are needed for the health of Mother Earth and for our health. Water gives us the spiritual teaching that we too flow into the Great Ocean at the end of our life journey.
"Water is the home of many living things that contribute to the health and well-being of everything not in the water.”
This past Friday, as part of Old Town’s Ramble and Ride I booked a float plane scenic tour with Air Tindi. The special deal – $80 per adult and $60 per child – was the perfect ending to our summer vacation from our home in a city in Alberta, which is just slightly smaller than this one.
It was awe-inspiring to view Yellowknife and the surrounding area from the air. The most surprising aspect was the vastness of the Great Slave Lake – it stretched as far as the eye could see.
An interesting fact I found on the Spectacular NWT website is that the lake is roughly the same size as the country of Belgium. Also, that it is North America’s deepest lake and could easily drown the CN Tower.
Viewing it from the air made me realize how integral the Great Slave Lake was to daily life, including the activities of boating, fishing, paddle boarding and airplanes and how everyone is reaping the benefits of living near it.
Yellowknifers are pretty mellow, on the whole. Since cannabis isn’t legalized yet, I’ll attribute that to all the wonderful blue space.