Have you heard of The Blue Mind Theory ? It is the idea that being near water, or even just experiencing the sound of water and/or picturing it, can bring a person into a calmer state and boost their mood. According to Dr. Nick Bach , a psychologist and CEO of Grace Psychological Services, “ The effect of water increases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels while reducing cortisol. [T]he sound, color, and touch of water can lower the pulse rate and increase calmness. ” Mambukal Resort As the heat of an El Nino summer builds in our tropical island, folks are taking to the water wherever they can get close to it. The Philippines is an archipelago in the Western Pacific Ocean made up of 7,641 islands, of which approximately 2,000 are inhabited - plenty to accommodate the overheated hordes.