Looking for the Best Water Images for Healthcare?

Our connection to water runs deep. It’s tied to our survival. Even images with the tiniest drops of water add a sense of calm and comfort to wellness environments, making them a popular choice for improving outcomes in healthcare.

So what do some of the best water images for healthcare look like?  Will you know them when you see them?  And what makes them a good focal point for improving overall health and wellness?

While there’s not a specific image considered “the best,” (otherwise healthcare design would get a bit monotonous) there are definitely certain types of water images that research indicates have the most benefits when it comes to improving outcomes for the entire care team.

So let’s take a look at some of the best water images for healthcare and how easy it is to incorporate them into healing healthcare design that can have a positive impact on patients and staff.

Calm Water

Calm water is considered one of the best types of water images for healthcare design when it comes to soothing anxieties and fears.  This stems from the well-regarded research of Kathy Hathorn and Upali Nanda, which states calm or slow-moving water images promote restoration (A Guide to Evidence-Based Art 2008).

And, not surprisingly, many additional studies support this same idea.

Shatter-resistant acrylic panels lead to patient rooms at this cancer treatment facility in NE.

These images connect us to a resource that is essential for our survival – water.

Water is associated with tranquility, relaxation, and peace.  And calm water images have a comforting effect.  They help lower stress in patients when they’re feeling vulnerable and afraid.

Slow-moving water

Slow-moving water is also referenced in Hathorn and Nanda’s research. Gently flowing water like waterfalls and streams represent continuity and evoke a sense of tranquility.

Stephen Kellert, known as the ‘Godfather of Biophilia,’ writes of this influence in his book, Nature By Design: “Water is often especially appealing when it is in motion” (2018).

Kellert goes on to describe how viewing nature images have many of the same benefits as being outdoors, which is great news for hospitals and healthcare environments that are looking for safe ways to bring the benefits of the natural world indoors for patients and staff.

Some of the benefits Kellert talks about in his research include “stress relief, enhanced performance, and improved problem solving and creativity.”  Pretty impressive results when you’re stuck inside all day!

Dew drops and rainfall

Close-up shots of dew and raindrops on leaves and flowers might not be the first images that come to mind when thinking of the best types of water images for healthcare, but they’re a unique way to evoke feelings of calm and clarity.

The act of focusing on the subtle details of the water drops can be similar to meditation, where the mind is gently guided to a calm and focused state.  Since water drops only last a brief time, it’s common for viewers to feel they’re seeing a form of nature’s beauty that’s fleeting and rare, making it more special.

Water reflections

Images displaying reflections on the surface of the water are another popular choice for the best water images for healthcare.  They fall into the “calm water” category but have the added appeal of reflecting the beauty of the natural world surrounding the body of water.

The gentle, mirrored image of the nearby sky or trees enhances the patterns of nature – patterns that have been shown to calm the stressors in our brains, creating a soothing experience when we view them.

This is extremely important when our brains are in fight or flight mode, which is common in patients dealing with the stress of unexpected illnesses or injuries.  By lessening the cognitive load on our brains, these images keep us feeling relaxed.

Underwater scenes

Subtle underwater views, often with soft light filtering through the water so you can see the gentle movement of plants or fish underneath are also a less common type of image when considering the best water images for healthcare.  But details like rocks and grasses sitting just below the surface draw the viewer in serving as a much-needed distraction in healthcare environments. 

These scenes create a feeling of immersion and tranquility, the quiet and weightless quality of underwater environments being particularly calming.

Water images are game changers when it comes to incorporating biophilic design elements into hospitals and other wellness environments.

Water is soothing and comforting because it’s our primary source of survival.  So when it comes to healthcare environments, it’s no surprise that looking at images of water has been shown to lower anxiety in patients and improve focus in healthcare workers.  Not bad, right?

So whether you choose calm or slow-moving water imagery, photographs of plants and leaves with tiny drops of rain, or wider views of waterscapes with nature’s reflection sprawled across the surface, water images are a powerful tool that can transform your healthcare environment.

Browse more waterscapes here and let us know if you’re ready to transform your space from a sterile environment to a window to the natural world.  We’d love to help you, your patients, and your staff reap the benefits nature has to offer!