Consequently, many waterfalls have sprung up in the mountains around Monchique. I visit a favourite spot regularly, and as I sit there, I feel the spray on my skin and close my eyes to listen to the gushing sound of water in full flow. It makes me wonder about this life force, where it begins, the journey it follows, and where it eventually ends.

I imagine the water surfacing from springs and fonts, cascading down the hillside, meandering its way around boulders of granite and the roots of trees, feeding the earth as it goes, the households dotted around in the remote spots without access to a mains supply. Eventually, the stream meets rivulets, pathways and its final destination, but without a real end as it merges with the sea.

The Portuguese verb ‘levar’ means ‘to carry’, and you can still find levadas near Silves and Lagoa, mostly known on Madeira, manmade channels dating back to the 1800s, the modern versions created in the 1940s. They were used to move water from abundant wet areas to dry areas for the irrigation of the land for agriculture. Now the levadas are used more as walking trails, allowing the hiker, dog walker or rambler access to hidden away landscapes along the water’s edge and away from the roads.

Health benefits

Spending time near unpolluted moving water in natural environments has plenty of health benefits, whether walking or sitting beside them, a sense of calm, even joy, washes over you. There is a scientific reason for this, as a chemical reaction happens when we breathe, especially near waterfalls, we inhale negative ions. These electrically charged particles are emitted into the atmosphere. The particles might be invisible to the eye, but they are there, and when we inhale them, they reach the bloodstream, and the biochemical reaction that occurs internally boosts the happy hormone, serotonin, and helps relieve stress and anxiety.


You might experience better cognitive function, a clearer mind, which is due to the purification of the air, which improves the flow of oxygen to the brain, making us more alert and energised. The author, Marty Rubin, wrote, “The waterfall winks at every passer-by.” Watching the movement, the ebb and flow, and the reflections of light bouncing off the water has a relaxing effect.

There is growing evidence to suggest that waterfalls support human health, offering some relief for people with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome. The same is reported with ADHD; the sensory stimulation allows for better attention and can help regulate the nervous system. Waterfalls inspire our creativity, the muse of many poets and writers, “It is life, I think, to watch the water. A man can learn so many things.” Nicholas Sparks, American novelist and screenwriter. Throughout history and across cultures, rain has been respected as a sustainable resource. From the Aborigines to the ancient Mayan, rain has represented survival, and tribes found ways to work with nature to collect and conserve.

As we head into summer and begin to welcome the finer weather, the rain becomes a distant memory, it’s worth remembering what a gift it is. Instead of seeing rain as something bad or uncomfortable, take a walk outside next time there is a shower, look up and feel raindrops on the face, and notice the cleansing and refreshing effects and the healthy glow afterwards, it is like a natural spa, oxygenating the skin.


And if you notice a pleasant scent in the air, an earthiness, particularly after a dry spell, this is the smell of petrichor, when water mixes with dry earth. From the Greek, ‘petros’, ‘stone’, and ‘ichor’ meaning the ‘fluid that flows in the veins of gods’. In Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of the gods, is depicted as the rain-giver, showering the earth with his blessings.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Michael Mardon ;

Symbolism

Symbolism of rain, good and bad, has seeped into the pages of literature and onto our screens, with films like Singing in the Rain celebrating the joy of letting go, splashing, dancing and opening the senses to the pure exhilaration of being in the rain.

It comes, therefore, as no surprise that humans have an affinity for water, the body is made up, on average, of 60% water, with the brain and heart 73%, skin 64% (Mitchell and others 1945). So stay hydrated, the daily recommended amount is, depending on age, gender, temperature, and how active, 8 - 10 glasses per day. If you are thirsty, have salty tasting or dry lips, and a headache, you are probably already dehydrated. We want to avoid these symptoms and top up our water intake by drinking a little and often.

From dancing in the rain to plunging into cold water, wild swimming in rivers or oceans is growing in popularity. As far back as 400 B.C.E., Hippocrates claimed cold water swimming relieved fatigue and improved sleep. But that is not all, cold water therapy can be helpful to the immune system, reduce inflammation in the body and improve overall circulation. “The cold shock, then the warmth, then the strong, gentle lifting motion of the quiet waves reminded me of happiness.” As described by the author, Iris Murdoch, in her novel, The Sea, The Sea.

Submerging in cold water causes the blood vessels to constrict and then dilate and this causes the release of endorphins. It’s these that make us feel good, and is recommended in some cases for people suffering from mild depression. Not to be taken lightly, it’s not advisable to go diving into cold water on your own or without taking necessary precautions. There is a process involved in acclimatising the body and building up the amount of time in water, going slow, and using breathing techniques to stay safe.

The word on the rain-soaked streets is that we can rest easy this summer, the reservoirs are at their fullest in years, and the likes we may never see again. As temperatures rise, replenish yourself and savour every drop. Flavour your drinking water with citrus, mint or cucumber to quench a thirst, and dip and swim to cleanse and refresh whilst caring for and tending the soil and plants. But let’s not be wasteful, preserve the stores for who knows, in a few months we will be wishing for rain, when we are all dried out and the earth is parched again.

Author

Suzanne Radford is a certified forest therapy practitioner and forest bathing guide based in the Serra De Monchique, helping individuals, couples and groups connect to nature through guided walks, workshops for wellbeing, and nature coaching.

Email: info@forestbathingalgarve.com   

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Suzanne Radford