Water

Camac Aqueduct, Co. Laois

Camac Aqueduct, Co. Laois

Copyright Michael Neill

Camac Aqueduct, Co. Laois
Copyright Michael Neill

Camac Aqueduct, Co. Laois

Camac Aqueduct, Co. Laois

Copyright Michael Neill

Enlarge image

Everything we do, whether it’s drinking, eating, bathing, cleaning, breathing, exercising, relaxing, or even thinking, is related to water. Recent studies reported in the British Journal of Nutrition have shown that a person’s ability to concentrate progressively declines when the body is subject to a water deficiency of just 1-2%. Water can also help prevent and treat disease, cleanse and replenish our bodies and our systems so they run more efficiently, and rehabilitate and improve our overall well-being in the most natural way.

New research has found that 'blue space' including sea, rivers, lakes and even urban water features can have a positive impact on wellbeing. Research conducted by Professor Michael Depledge, formerly the chief scientist for the UK’s Environment Agency before founding the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) in Plymouth in 2011, found that the closer you live to the English coast the healthier you are. There was some evidence that other aquatic environments helped too, such as putting fishtanks in healthcare settings such as for Alzheimer's patients, or in nursing homes to enhance the wellbeing of residents. A Water and Wellbeing Week was also launched in the UK, highlighting the benefits of water.

Water quality and pollution are also significant factors, for which more information can be found in the general Water section.