I have always felt a deep connection to water, but the ocean—wild, vast, and untamed—has been my teacher and healer. I was never an exceptional surfer, maybe a second-grade level at best, but that never mattered. What mattered was getting into the water—the frigid embrace of the Pacific Ocean, the relentless waves at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, and the feeling of being completely consumed by something greater than myself. It wasn’t just about the sport; it was about surrendering to the experience, about being fully present in the moment.
The ocean has a way of stripping away all pretense. When you’re out there, the cold shocks you awake, the waves remind you of your smallness, and yet, in that humility, there is healing. It’s in the way the salt water purifies not just the skin but something deeper—the soul. It’s in the way the rhythmic crash of the waves mirrors the rise and fall of breath. Water holds a presence, a sacredness, a space for renewal.
Water as a healing force
Beyond the ocean, water has long been revered for its healing properties—physically, mentally, and spiritually. The sensation of water surrounding the body can act as a reset, a return to something primal and safe. Various forms of water therapy have been used for centuries to restore balance, promote relaxation, and even accelerate healing. Here are some of the most powerful ways water nurtures us:
🌊 Ocean therapy – The negative ions in sea air reduce stress, saltwater has natural antimicrobial properties, and the rhythmic movement of the waves synchronizes with brainwave activity, bringing a meditative state. When I am out there, in the vastness of the ocean, I feel God’s presence—the way He speaks through nature, through the stillness and the storm, reminding me that He is both the peace and the power.
🛁 Hydrotherapy (hot & cold water therapy) – Used in spas, healing centers, and ancient practices, hydrotherapy can boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the lymphatic system. Cold plunges can improve resilience and mental clarity, while warm baths relieve muscle tension and encourage relaxation.
💦 Sensory deprivation tanks (float therapy) – Floating in salt-dense water in a completely silent and dark tank allows the nervous system to calm, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and even enhancing creativity. It strips away distractions, and allows you to focus on your breath and slow down your thoughts.
🏊 Swimming in the ocean or pool – Immersing yourself in water, whether in the vastness of the ocean or the controlled environment of a pool, offers immense physical and mental benefits. The rhythmic movement of swimming calms the mind, relieves stress, and strengthens the body. Saltwater has natural healing properties, promoting skin health and muscle recovery, while the gentle pressure of water around the body can create a meditative, almost weightless experience—allowing for deep relaxation and emotional release.
🚿 Showers as a ritual – Even something as simple as a shower can be intentional healing. Envision stress washing away, breathe deeply, and use water as a tool for emotional and energetic cleansing. A bio hack I’ve used is to turn off all the lights, and take a shower in the dark. To allow for the sensation to focus purely on the water washing away the day or emotions.
🛁 Take a bath with Epsom salts – Allow the magnesium to soothe sore muscles and promote relaxation. For an enhanced experience, add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to deepen the calming effect. Light candles, play soft music, and let the warm water become a sanctuary—both physically and spiritually—where you release stress and invite healing.
Why water heals
Science backs what ancient traditions have always known—water heals. Here’s why:
🔹 Water conducts energy – As an excellent conductor, water helps release stagnant energy and emotional blockages, making it a powerful tool for emotional healing.
🔹 The nervous system resets in water – Being submerged in water, especially in the ocean or a bath, shifts the body into a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, lowering cortisol and promoting deep relaxation.
🔹 Saltwater is naturally cleansing – Ocean water, rich in minerals like magnesium, can aid in detoxification, soothe skin conditions, and promote muscle recovery.
🔹 Water as a symbol of rebirth – Nearly every spiritual tradition uses water as a symbol of purification and transformation—from baptism to ritual bathing, water is seen as a threshold between the old and the new.
Water & faith: Meeting God in the deep
Water has always been sacred. From the parting of the Red Sea, to Jesus walking on water, to baptism as a symbol of rebirth, God has used water as a physical and spiritual sign of His presence, power, and renewal.
📖 “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” – Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
When I am in the ocean, I feel God. The waves remind me of His vastness, His power, His ability to carry me when I surrender. The rhythmic crashing of the waves feels like a divine heartbeat, steady and unshakable. It is in those moments that I remember I am never alone—He is in the vastness, in the depths, in the movement.
When I float in a sensory deprivation tank, I feel the silence of His voice speaking directly to my soul, calling me to be still and know that He is God. In that weightless, soundless space, I have found my tent of meeting—a place where the distractions of the world fall away and I can sit in His presence, undisturbed. Just as Moses met with God in a sacred space, I use this as a holy pause—a time to pray, reflect, and receive His peace.
For those who seek God in the quiet, in the movement, in the deep—water can be a place to meet Him. A place to listen, to let go, to be washed clean not just physically but spiritually. Whether in the wildness of the ocean or the stillness of a bath, He is there, waiting to meet us in the water.
Still to this day, Oceans by Hillsong is special part in my faith walk.
And I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
Coming Back to the Water
Every time I step into the ocean, I remember. I remember that healing isn’t always about fixing something; sometimes, it’s about surrendering. About letting go. About allowing the water to hold me when I am too tired to hold myself.
Whether it’s through a long soak in a bath, a cold plunge, a sensory deprivation tank, or simply standing barefoot in the rain, water has the ability to bring us back to ourselves. To rinse away what we no longer need and remind us of what has been there all along—peace, renewal, and a connection to something greater.
💙 How does water heal you? Share your experience below.
Written by Eva Chi
Photo by Matt Hardy on Unsplash