Guest Author Daniel Bolton, LMHC
Sometimes a problem has been a problem for so long it is difficult to recognize it. Even if you do recognize it the idea, alone, feels overwhelming. It’s also possible that you've thought about it for so long or that it is part of a repetitive pattern of thinking, that sitting around and talking about it, in and of itself, may not be enough to shake things up and get things moving in your life. In fact, if it is part of an anxiety process, talking about it repetitively may make the anxiety worse. Exercise has been shown in extensive research, some using brain scans, to significantly reduce anxiety.
As a therapist I can recommend every client that in addition to regular talk therapy they also take action and get into an exercise routine, and advise that those with low confidence in themselves do something they had in their mind they'd never be able to do. Changing the whole scene where we do the work, and actively applying these strategies is another option, which is what I've been doing most recently with Surf to Heal. I find that clients’ motivation outside the session wanes and it has long been documented that lack of progress in therapy is related to clients not applying similar recommendations independently outside of the session.
Part of the concept behind Surf to Heal is that immersing oneself in the water, and being part of the process of nature is healing in and of itself. This is also a concept inherent in Adventure Therapy, which has become quite popular in the last decade. Outside of the the inherent therapeutic effects of being in the ocean or connecting with nature, surfing is a great metaphor for life and overcoming hardships involved in it. It takes persistence and teaches each surfer, novice and veteran alike, that each challenge is an opportunity to either give up or learn from and become stronger. Surfing is also a great way to overcome fear. Who is not afraid being out in the open ocean, especially when a wave is walling up in front of you, while you are out there alone floating on a board. I believe most people think surfing is something they are not able to do. I certainly had this thought, but by going out and doing it, even on my worst days when all I did was fall, I overcame many self-limiting beliefs. Surfing was a large part of my own healing process a few years ago. Bottom line, why would I not make available something that I found so profoundly healing to others just because it seemed out of the norm?
My life and my practice is about overcoming fear, pain and adversity and coming out a stronger and more resilient person from it. This is what I want to share with people in need of guidance to navigate the fear, pain, and adversity they've experienced in their own life. I certainly don't believe that surfing can heal all wounds in and of itself, but there are certainly a lot of people who feel this way. In combination with guidance from a therapist, there is amazing potential to provide what people need to heal.
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