Recently, I relaxed in the water rapids and deep pools of the #WestChickamaugaCreek near my home in Northwest Georgia. It was a typical hot, muggy, sunny Georgia noon, and the cool water called my name.
As I floated, wandered and sat in the creek — sometimes only inches deep, sometimes over my head — I felt as if I was not only being grounded, but as if my body was getting recentered, re-polarized, re-energized. I allowed the rushing, gurgling water to flow over me as I laid back in the rapids of a fishing weir built by Native Americans before the Civil War.
I just felt better.
A Positive Negative Ions Experience
Afterwards, I wondered at how much better I felt: Physically recharged, emotionally balanced, spiritually centered, mentally aware. Later that evening, a science show on waterfalls and energy in Iceland gave me a clue: 10,000 waterfalls in that country infuses the air with negative ions. Doing more research, I discovered several articles that confirmed the science behind my feelings: I’d been basking in a caldron of negative ions!
Here’s a great Healthline article that explains what I was feeling!
Heeding Nature’s Waterfall Call
Since moving to this property a few years ago, I’ve felt drawn to the creek, and especially to the rapids. I launch my kayaks there, yes. But more often I just go and sit, wade, float, swim.
(The other day, in fact, I was skinny dipping and walking downstream (or, at my age and weight, chunky dunking) on a hot Monday morning when I group of kayakers came around the bend. As the lead kayaker (an older Grandpa) called out to me, I quickly sat down in the stream as he and 3 other guys paddled past. We chatted for a bit. He thought I was perhaps a homeless man taking advantage of a bathing opportunity; I explained I owned the property under my backside.)
But I’ve always felt drawn to the creek, to the rushing water. To the cooling, cleansing, centering, healing. To my own personal jacuzzi / bubble bath / negative ions generator.
And now I know why.
