NAVY INVESTIGATES SURFING AS PTSD THERAPY

The U.S. Navy has embarked on a US $1-million research project to determine whether surfing has therapeutic value, especially for military personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or sleep problems. Researchers say surfing offers great promise as therapy. It is a challenging exercise in an outdoor environment; people surf individually or in groups; military surfers who are reluctant to attend traditional group therapy open up about their common experiences when talking to other surfers on the beach. The Navy study, led by clinical psychologist Kristen Walter, analyzes questionnaires answered by service members who surfed one day a week for six weeks. Initial results suggest that surfing can lead to a decrease in insomnia and feelings of anxiety.