Is Surf Therapy for Veterans Effective?

The Merits of Surf Therapy for Service Members with PTSD And Mental Health Concerns

While many military veterans have faced alcohol and substance abuse, far too few are aware of the power of surfing and therapeutic surfing to help relieve trauma and improve mental health.

Is surf therapy for veterans effective? Surf therapy is an excellent addition to an overall treatment plan for veterans. Whether you are dealing with PTSD symptoms or other mental health challenges, engaging in surf therapy is a great way to break out of the usual routine and reconnect with the natural world in an exciting way.

At South Shores Recovery, surf therapy is one of the many treatment modalities we offer. Restoring mental well-being is a complex process that needs to be approached from many angles, and that’s exactly how we serve everyone who comes to us for help.

If you’d like to learn more about what we have to offer military veterans, or if you have any other questions regarding treatment, please feel free to give us a call confidentially while reading at any time.

Why is Surf Therapy Effective for PTSD and Trauma Treatment?

Surf therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that combines surfing and ocean exposure with guided emotional processing. It’s long been known that spending time in the water can be a restorative experience, but surf therapy takes that theory a step further. And, since we are located in San Diego, the opportunity to explore the benefits of this treatment is always close at hand.

This type of therapy is suitable for people who are experienced in surfing, and also for those who have never been on a board previously. Ocean therapy that includes surfing can be helpful for those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, along with people with other mental health conditions, traumatic brain injuries, and more.

It provides a change of scenery from the traditional office setting for therapy sessions, adding diversity to the process of recovery and building confidence and new skills along the way.

Why Does Surf Therapy Resonate with Veterans?

Veterans are a perfect match for surf therapy. This is because the strengths that are developed while serving in the military align nicely with the strengths needed out on the ocean.

Things like resilience, courage, discipline, and teamwork all play a role in surfing, and they are critical in the military. The power of the ocean is unpredictable, which mirrors the unpredictability of combat.

The psychological effects of dealing with immense challenges in the armed forces will be familiar to veterans when they head out into the breakers for the first time.

What Are the Benefits of Surf Therapy for PTSD and Anxiety?

Using surfing as a form of wellness coaching has a number of powerful benefits, some of which we have listed below. It may take catching just one wave with other veterans to start to feel the healing that many previous participants have enjoyed.

Regulating the Stress Response

For many veterans, feelings of hypervigilance or chronic anxiety are common. Getting out into the ocean can help calm the sympathetic nervous system and regulate these responses. There is a peaceful rhythm that comes with paddling out on your board and looking for the right wave.

Even for those who are total beginners at surfing, the mindfulness that this activity promotes can help to reach positive outcomes for veterans and their families.

Rebuilding Confidence and Self-Efficacy

It’s hard to tap into any positive psychology for veterans who have been through difficult and traumatic events. If you once felt confident and capable, only to now feel a bit broken and lost, rebuilding confidence through difficult exercise is valuable.

You can take on the challenge of surfing off a beautiful San Diego beach and see yourself as capable and strong once again.

Reducing Isolation Through Community

The sad reality is that many veterans who have done one or two tours, or even more, wind up feeling isolated back at home. You may have lost touch with your fellow service members, and the mental health challenges you are facing don’t help your ability to keep up healthy relationships.

This is again where a physical pursuit like surfing can be helpful, as it provides you with a community of people who will be supportive. The camaraderie you build in a surf therapy program will show you that plenty of people in the world still care about you and your future.

Providing a Safe Outlet for Emotion

It can be difficult during daily life to find the right places to confront and process the many emotions that are boiling up inside. The vast expanse of the ocean is different, however. You might feel more comfortable talking about your emotions here and sharing them with others in a way that you wouldn’t do inside a traditional office.

The Role of Surf Therapy in Our Comprehensive Treatment Plans

At South Shores Recovery, we believe strongly in the power of surf therapy, as demonstrated by programs like the Warrior Surf Foundation. With that said, it’s unlikely that surfing alone will be enough to work through your trauma and make your way toward a brighter, healthier future.

Many different types of services can be used to confront mental health issues that veterans commonly face after returning from Iraq or other difficult environments.

That’s why we build surf therapy into a comprehensive, well-rounded treatment plan. Your treatment could include other services like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, group therapy sessions, other holistic treatments like yoga and mindfulness training, and medication management.

It’s the cumulative effect of these many different treatment modalities that can come together to open up a future that might have seemed out of reach or impossible just a short time ago.

Ride the Waves to Recovery: Get Support at South Shores Today

It can feel like there is no way beyond mental health struggles. That’s never the case, however, as veterans and active duty military personnel can both find a path forward through the right treatment plan and proper support.

As you may know on a personal level, military service takes a particular toll on mental well-being, and it’s common for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other challenges to follow.

Start prioritizing your own wellness today by calling South Shores Recovery to talk about our surf therapy program and the other treatments we have available. All outreach is strictly confidential, so please do not hesitate, reach out to our compassionate staff now!