Psychologist Explains How Learning To Surf Can Be Really Good For Your Mental Health

There is no better way to clear your mind than by going for a surf. The happiness that may be achieved via the escapism and simplicity of riding waves is not a secret when it comes to surfing.

The findings of our exploratory study, which was conducted on children and teenagers, contribute to the growing body of evidence indicating surfing is extremely beneficial to one’s mental health.

To gain the benefits, however, you do not need to be suffering from a mental illness. How you can improve your own mental health by applying what we are learning from our research is outlined in the following paragraphs.

The Benefits That Come With Surfing

There is evidence that surfing can improve mental health in a variety of ways, including making people feel better about themselves, reducing feelings of social isolation, and even treating depression and other mental illnesses.

Specific surf therapy regimens are the source of a significant portion of this study. These include providing supportive surfing instruction along with activities that may be done individually or in groups to increase psychosocial wellbeing.

When they are in their most fundamental form, the majority of these programs demonstrate how challenging it is to learn how to surf in an atmosphere that is emotionally safe.

It is presumed that the benefits to mental health are attributable to the following:

a stronger feeling of personal and social connectedness

folks are able to translate their sense of accomplishment to other aspects of their lives.

opportunity to take a vacation from the strains of daily life due to the high attention that is required while surfing

the body’s reaction to surfing, which includes a reduction in levels of stress hormones and the release of neurotransmitters that are more likely to improve mood

performing physical activity in a natural setting, particularly in “blue spaces” (areas that are on or near water).

What did we do?

The purpose of our pilot study was to determine whether or not the Ocean Mind surf therapy program improved the mental health of children and adolescents involved in the program.

We were also interested in determining whether or not the participants were open to the idea of using surfing as a treatment for their mental health issues.

In the study, there were a total of 25young people who were participating. These young people ranged in age from eight to eighteen years old and were receiving assistance for a mental health concern such as anxiety or a neurodevelopmental disorder (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder). Their mental health physician, general practitioner, or school counsellor referred them to the program.

Participants were randomly allocated to either the Ocean Mind surf therapy program or a waiting group with the intention of participating in the program. Those individuals who were assigned to surf therapy continued to receive their regular care, which included case monitoring by a mental health professional. The individuals who were on the waitlist, who were considered the control group, continued to get their regular care.

Over the course of six weeks, the surf therapy program was held every weekend for a total of two hours. A community mentor who had received training in mental health literacy and surf instruction was paired with young people in order to provide them with one-on-one instruction whilst surfing.

At each session, which took place at the beach, participants received helpful training in surfing as well as group assistance for mental health. The lessons were carried out by the program coordinator, who possessed expertise in both mental health and surf training.

What we found out about it

Following the completion of the six-week program, individuals who had participated in surf therapy demonstrated improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and inattention, as well as a reduction in emotional and peer problems. On the other hand, the control group had a rise in these symptoms rather than a decrease.

On the other hand, these gains did not continue to be sustained six weeks after the treatment was successfully completed.

Additionally, the participants viewed the surf treatment as a reasonable and youth-friendly method for the management of symptoms associated with mental illness. This was further supported by the high completion rates (87%) that were achieved, particularly when compared to other types of mental health care. For instance, it has been discovered that the dropout rate for psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) among children and adolescents ranges from 22 to 60 percent.

It is still in its early stages. The preliminary findings are to be expected. On the other hand, given that this was a pilot study, additional research with a greater number of participants is required in order to validate these findings and also to ascertain whether or not they are applicable to a wider range of groups.

The amount of surf therapy that is appropriate, the frequency of sessions, the length of each session, and the total duration of the program are all things that we are interested in learning.

It is also necessary for us to have an understanding of the factors that contribute to the maintenance of these initial beneficial changes in mental health. This will allow any advantages to be maintained after the program has been completed.

Additionally, it is heartening to observe that surfing is becoming acknowledged as a potentially beneficial and socially acceptable treatment for mental health symptoms among young people. Although this conclusion is true, it does not imply that the more known therapeutic methods, like as talk therapy and medication, are not beneficial. In fact, it may be the case that these treatments are more effective for certain individuals.

It is possible that surf therapy might be considered as an alternative form of support to the treatments that are already being utilised, or as an alternative for individuals who do not find success with more conventional methods.

Would you like to give surfing a shot?

If you think that surfing is your thing, keep the following in mind:

Because surfing requires one’s undivided attention due to the ever-changing conditions of the ocean, it is a good way to get away from the stresses of everyday life and eliminate the effects of stress.

Surfing may be able to assist remove obstacles to mental health care for some individuals.

Although surfing is not for everyone, it does not guarantee that it will lessen the severity of your problems. Depression can affect even the most skilled surfers, and they may require additional help in order to recover.

Even if you do not have access to the ocean or a surfboard, you need not be concerned. You could also find that engaging in other hobbies that include nature, such as gardening and hiking, is beneficial to your mental health.