Surfing as therapy: Strong together against addiction and pain!

Surfing as therapy: Strong together against addiction and pain!

The topic of mental health is becoming increasingly important in our modern society. An innovative approach that addresses both the mind and the body is currently being practiced in a self-help group in Brandenburg and Berlin. This is where people with addictions, mental illnesses and chronic pain come together to try out a new form of therapy through surfing. Anke Polkowski leads this self-help contact point and accompanies the group, which meets regularly with workshops and activities on the water. The group's goal is not only to meet individual challenges, but also to form a new community of mutual support. Loud AWO Potsdam These participants take part in daily workshops that support them in sharing their feelings and needs.

But what makes surfing so special? Surfing is not only a popular sport, but is also viewed by many as an effective form of therapy for dealing with stress. The opportunities to connect with nature help you leave everyday life behind and focus on the present moment. Lanza Surf highlights that surfing has numerous mental health benefits. These include, among other things, reducing stress and anxiety, promoting happiness and joy through released endorphins and improving mindfulness.

The benefits of surfing

• Stress- und Angstabbau: Surfen hilft, den Kopf frei zu bekommen und sorgt für positive Gedanken.
• Erhöhung des Glücksgefühls: Durch die aktive Teilnahme am Sport wird die Stimmung merklich gehoben.
• Verbesserung der Achtsamkeit: Beim Wellenreiten ist volle Konzentration gefragt, was die Achtsamkeit schult.
• Bessere Schlafqualität: Die körperliche Betätigung fördert die Entspannung und sorgt für erholsamere Nächte.
• Entwicklung von Resilienz: Surfen lehrt, Herausforderungen zu meistern und die eigene Belastbarkeit zu stärken.

These benefits are confirmed not only by personal experience, but also by scientific studies. The University of Exeter and the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology show that surfing has a positive impact on mental health and can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Support through self-help groups

The role of self-help groups is essential in this context. According to the information from NAKOS Local contact points not only offer support in setting up such groups, but also help with public relations. It becomes clear here that there are many ways to support one another and learn from one another. Employees in these organizations provide “rooms” for meetings and provide contacts, making it easier to establish and maintain self-help groups.

For the participants in the self-help group in Brandenburg and Berlin, the combination of surfing and workshops is a successful mix. Here you will not only find therapeutic approaches, but also the opportunity to make new friends and support each other in difficult times. And who knows, maybe other groups will also discover the healing power of water and community?