Most people dream of dedicating more time to self-care and spending time outdoors, yet often, as John Lennon reminded us, life happens when you’re busy making other plans—and time may stand in the way of your self-care goals. What if you found a way to fit self-care into your existing routines, instead of the other way around? With studies showing that you only need ten minutes outdoors to reap the stress-busting effects of nature, your pool can be the perfect spot for daily microbreaks that help keep stress, anxiety, and depression at bay.
Why Micro-Escapes Work
Micro-escapes are short breaks lasting anywhere between five and twenty minutes. This wellness trend can be traced back to research by University of Illinois researchers, who found that spending even a few minutes outdoors has numerous proven benefits, including improved attention, reduced mental fatigue, and enhanced emotional regulation. Their findings align with the tenets of “attention restoration theory,” which explains how natural environments help the brain recover from cognitive overload. Developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, this science-backed theory posits that modern life demands intense, sustained focus that often results in cognitive fatigue. Natural environments, in contrast, invite “soft fascination” and effortless attention, allowing our brains to recover and restore concentration, happiness, and well-being.
The Role of Water in Attention Restoration
Water amplifies the benefits of being outdoors, with one 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology showing that water-based activities such as swimming can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Water has a host of calming properties, including sound, temperature, and the feeling of weightlessness, which can trigger the body’s parasympathetic or “calming” nervous system. Studies have also shown that people who regularly spend time near water have a better mood and feel more mentally refreshed. Therefore, designing your pool space in ways that inspire you to spend at least half an hour outside can help you not only stock up on vitamin D but also foster a greater sense of calm and focus.
Upping the Comfort Factor
To make being outside more appealing than being inside, think of the many ways in which you can offer comfort and passive enjoyment of your poolside. Many professionally designed pool areas at resorts feature comfortable outdoor seating, shady spots on sunny days, and a sense of visual cohesion. Ideas include an outdoor work area on your terrace, covered by a pergola. Dedicated firms specialize in modern solutions, such as fully automated louvered roofing systems, which let you access natural light and ventilation on good days while providing welcome shade and protection from the rain on rainy days. Many homeowners are also creating small raised deck spaces with outdoor sofas and a table, perfect for catching up with family or enjoying an outdoor lunch. If you are planning on renovating your pool area in the near future, take the time to choose complementary colors and styles that enhance the aesthetics of your poolside work or relaxation area. This sense of unity can be achieved through specific furniture styles and color choices. For instance, to mimic a holiday-style vibe, some poolsides bear inviting Balinese features, including wooden ceiling fans on terraces, Balinese beds, teak and hardwood decking, and bamboo screens or fencing. The area framing your pool, meanwhile, can feature sukabumi stone, which gives the water a deep emerald hue, similar to what you might find in open bodies of water.
A Spot for Entertainment
Investing in ideas for outdoor shading features is also ideal if you wish to set up an outdoor bar. Few features are likely to get your family out into the garden more than a fridge full of their favorite cold beverages. Think freshly made smoothies, bottles of cold water, or freshly squeezed juice. Your outdoor gourmet area can also include a barbecue and other equipment, where you can prepare meals poolside and impress family and friends with fresh platters of fruit, sandwiches, and grilled burgers. You’ll find many sources of inspiration online for outdoor poolside kitchens, including sunken outdoor kitchens with swim-up bars, poolside pizza ovens with adjoining beverage stations, and covered L-shaped outdoor kitchen layouts that maximize corner spaces while providing enough space for food preparation, storage, and shaded dining.
If you have a pool and often feel too busy to use it, consider micro-breaks: spend even a few minutes every day relaxing or working by the pool. Shading is key to maximizing comfort and light, but you can also embellish your space with exciting features such as sunken kitchens and bars where people swim up to refuel on the goodies you prepare. Creating a comfortable and beautiful space can involve a full-scale renovation or the simple addition of small features, such as loungers or a pergola, that allow you to reap the benefits of being outdoors, come rain or shine.
