You drive up to the cottage, park the car and let out the kids. Then, you stop to take in the view, the wind, the smells and the sound of small waves splashing against the shore. And almost immediately, you can feel your muscles relaxing, your breaths growing deeper and your own brainwaves slowing down to mirror the gentle roll of the lake.

What’s happening isn’t just in your head. It’s not just about being on vacation or close to the woods. It specifically has to do with being by the lake – and there’s a growing body of science to show that.