NAVY INVESTIGATES SURFING AS A WAY TO COUNTERACT PTSD

Surfing has long been celebrated as a way to soothe the mind and invigorate the body. But scientific evidence has been limited. Now the U.S. Navy has embarked on a US$1 million research project to determine whether surfing has therapeutic value for military personnel with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression or sleep problems. Researchers say surfing offers great promise as a challenging outdoor exercise that can be done individually or in groups. The Navy study, led by clinical psychologist Kristen Walter, analyzes questionnaires answered by service members before, during and after a program of surfing one day a week for six weeks. To the researchers, the initial results suggest that surfing can lead to a decrease in insomnia and feelings of anxiety, and a decline in an overall negative view of life.