Mon Sep 09 15:18:04 UTC 2024: ## Ocean Therapy: Surfing for Healing and a Deeper Connection to Nature
A lifelong surfer and marine social scientist, Easkey Britton argues that the ocean’s restorative power is more than just a feeling – it’s backed by scientific evidence. In her book, “Ebb and Flow,” she explores the concept of “ocean therapy,” or “blue care,” which uses water-based activities to help people cope with mental, emotional, and physical illnesses.
“Engaging with blue spaces – from marine and coastal environments to inland lakes and rivers – can have restorative health and well-being outcomes,” Britton explains. This “blue attunement,” as she calls it, is a deep connection with the ocean that can be fostered through activities like surfing.
Surfing, in particular, offers a unique form of mindful embodiment. The fluid and dynamic nature of the waves requires a focus on the present moment, providing respite from everyday anxieties. Studies show that participants in surf therapy programs report feelings of presence, flow, joy, and a connection to nature, often leading to a reduction in reliance on conventional treatments for mental illness.
Britton highlights the multisensory nature of ocean immersion, which activates the entire sensory system and enhances neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire. This can improve functional mobility, especially for those with acquired brain injuries, and even reduce the need for pain medications.
Surf therapy also builds resilience and helps people overcome fears in a playful way. The dynamic learning environment fosters a sense of belonging and community through shared ocean experiences.
Despite the positive findings, Britton acknowledges the growing tension between the desire to utilize blue spaces for healing and the realities of pollution, exclusion, and danger in many of these environments. This tension, she argues, stems from a growing disconnect between humans and nature.
“The dominant narrative within nature therapy literature…has tended to emphasize what nature can do for us,” she notes. To address this imbalance, Britton advocates for a more reciprocal relationship with the ocean, one that goes beyond simply extracting resources for our own benefit.
Ocean therapy offers a powerful lens to see the ocean not only as a source of healing but also as a vulnerable entity requiring our care and stewardship. By embracing this deeper understanding, we can move towards a future where blue spaces are safe and healthy for all, and where we recognize our interconnectedness with the watery world.
First Piper 