The Power of Blue
Finding Stillness in the City
A few weeks ago, we jumped on a busy train and headed to the amazing city of Liverpool and headed straight to find Stanley Lock Flight.
The Great Escape
Just a few meters from hustle and bustle, we found our towpath. It led us to a gem nestled deep within the housing development—a historic canal. Once a site of heavy industry, it is now a sanctuary of nature and reflection.
The change I felt inside by being by the water was instant. The sun was shining across the canal, rippling in the slight breeze. It literally stopped me in my tracks. As I stood there, I felt a deep connection to the stillness. I took a few deep breaths and noticed my racing thoughts simply vanish. It wasn’t an expensive retreat or a formal meditation; it was the simple, raw power of standing by the water.
Biologically Wired for Water
It’s no wonder we feel this pull. With our bodies and our planet both composed largely of water, we are biologically wired to respond to its presence. Experts call this an “innate predisposition”—because we evolved near water, being near a canal or river feels like “returning home” to our brains.
A recent study of 20,000 people found that humans are at their happiest when they are in “Blue Spaces.”
Research has identified a phenomenon called “Soft Fascination.” Unlike the “hard” attention required to navigate busy streets or scrolling on a phone, the sight of ripples on a canal holds our attention without effort. This allows our minds to rest, lowering blood pressure and clearing the “chemical cocktail” of stress hormones in our bodies.
The “Hidden High Streets” of Well-being
As a coach, I spend much of my time asking children about their favourite calming memories. More often than not, those stories involve the presence of water.
We saw this first-hand in Manchester when we watched a little boy squeal with delight as he arrived at a Canal & River Trust workshop. He pointed at the long stretch of the canal and shouted, “LOOK NANNY, IT’S THE SEA!”.
For those of us who live bang in the middle of the country and couldn’t be further from the coast, these waterways are a gift. Across the UK, we have 2,000 miles of canals and rivers flowing through our busiest cities and quietest countryside. They are our “hidden high streets” of well-being—and the best part is that they are completely FREE to access.
Explore Your Local Waterways
Now is the perfect time to grab your family, step onto a towpath, and experience the Power of Blue for yourself.
📍 Find Your Route
In partnership with the Canal & River Trust, funded by Sport England, we have created bespoke family wellbeing trail:
We have new maps and workshops coming soon, you can register your interest above for more info.