 Come to the
WATERS
Enjoy the restful, restorative
nature of fountains
by Anne Cole
photography by Robert French
Close your eyes. Think of your favorite place. Feel the soft air on your skin, the sun on your face. Breathe in the warmth and tranquility. Now listen — what do you hear? Chances are, you hear the sound of water — soothing, constant, unmistakable. This human attraction to water is what makes us travel miles to the ocean, to lakes, to rivers, in order to immerse ourselves, even if not in the water itself, in the relaxation and sense of well-being that water offers to both the mind and the body.
This attraction isn’t just psychological. Falling or moving water generates negative ions, which many scientists believe contribute to improved mood. “Generally speaking,” says Pierce J. Howard, Ph.D., author of The Owner’s Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, North Carolina, “negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness and more mental energy.”
Your home already has a built-in negative ion generator: your shower. (Who doesn’t feel better after a shower?) But why not add falling water to your garden or entryway to create a place where you can enjoy both the psychological and the physical benefits of being around this natural mood-enhancer?
Patio and garden fountains attract butterflies and birds to your garden and can be free-standing or attached to a wall. With lights, statuary, flowers and plants — or even a favorite found item, such as a ceramic pot or an antique jar, added, each one can be unique and personal. A fountain can bring a tranquil ambiance that’s heard even before it’s seen in an entryway, or attract guests to find a secret haven tucked into a corner of your garden.
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