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Whispering winds brush the trees nearby. Tree branches dance, with the rustle of their leaves singing as you pass. The warm smell of fresh water and earth permeates your senses. The air has never felt cleaner. The crisp sound of the water lapping all around you reminds you that this isn’t heaven, but it sure is close. The best part? You can weightlessly glide through this enchanting environment and soak up its natural luxuries whenever you want! All you need is a kayak.

Do you feel more relaxed already? Now, let’s explore the mental health benefits of kayaking. 

Kayaking: Your New Therapy

In the hyper-connected, media-soaked modern life we live in, finding a way to reconnect with nature and yourself is essential. Countless studies show that just being near water is incredibly beneficial for mental health. Kayaking eases anxiety, reduces depression, and increases self-esteem. Paddling down the river serves as “ecotherapy,” or a form of natural therapy that uplifts the mind by surrounding yourself with nature. 

Boost Your Mood on the River

With persistent challenges like COVID-19 and too much negative news, finding a truly positive human experience is harder than ever. Social isolation and revoked access to most green spaces can make this struggle even more challenging. Studies have always shown the numerous benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature. It took these most recent struggles to show many of us that this is a true necessity.

Are the kids getting gloomy stuck inside? Have you been feeling down, stuck behind a screen for days? As people young and old have abruptly adjusted to more and more time away from nature, some even started experiencing serious side effects. Withdrawal from nature has been attributed to a condition called “nature deficit disorder,” which causes significant behavior changes, such as increased stress and anxiety. With such serious effects on even our smallest loved ones’ moods, it’s great news that there is such a safe, accessible, and enjoyable solution. 

Kayaking is a natural antidepressant and an antidote to those negative feelings. Kayaking releases “feel-good” chemicals, including endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin that boost your mood and your self-confidence! Plus, those same chemicals can also help you improve focus, so you’ll return to home or work with a clearer mind and better attention span.

Taking a kayak out for just one day creates lasting positive effects on our mental well being.

Improve Your Memory While Making Memories

Paddling through the scenic waters of the river exercises more than just your arms. As it turns out, kayaking with your best friends can increase blood flow in your brain, stimulate new brain cells, and put your hippocampus to work. Since the hippocampus is responsible for verbal memory and learning, making new memories in nature can actually help with your memory altogether. Win-win, right? 

Experience Better Sleep

When you’re stressed and anxious, it’s hard to get a good night’s rest. And when you’re not sleeping well, you feel more stressed and anxious. You can break this cycle by kayaking! 

According to Johns Hopkins, exercising during the day improves your sleep. It helps you get more deep sleep during the night. It also helps you fall asleep faster and can even stop you from feeling sleepy during the day. 

Come See Us

Kayaking can be anything from your favorite form or exercise to an opportunity to connect with nature, alone or with friends and family. No matter your reason for paddling, it’s an experience that is essential for the human experience. 

Come take advantage of the mental health benefits of kayaking at Canoe the Caney. Bring your own kayak, or rent one of ours to boost your mood and connect with nature.