"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Why browsing could be useful for individuals with brain injuries

Nothing beats riding a wave for the primary time. And our research shows that you simply don't should be a professional to benefit from the ability of the ocean. We got it. That browsing will help individuals with brain injuries lead more engaged and meaningful lives.

In addition to physical impairments, brain injury may cause difficulties in processing information, regulating emotions, and socializing. Many individuals with brain injuries may struggle to return to work or engage in exercise and should begin to feel isolated. Critically, they don’t at all times have the mandatory trust or connections to have interaction with their local communities.

We have been working. With a team of psychologists at various Welsh health boards who’ve supported survivors to beat these barriers and studied the impact.

During our research, we worked together. Surfability UKwhich is a surf school that goals to make the activity as inclusive as possible for individuals with disabilities. It offers adaptive wetsuits, longboards, beach buggies and developed the world's first tandem-seated surfboard to support individuals with mobility issues, including those with brain injuries.

Accessing such opportunities can still be a challenge if you’ve got a brain injury. So, to beat this, psychologists involve patients in ocean immersion and supply them with therapeutic treatments of their wetsuits.

A team of experts are delivering rehabilitation sessions on a South Wales beach.
Swansea University, The creator provides.

We interviewed 15 patients who had undergone browsing sessions as a part of a neurorehabilitation program run by Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda University Health Boards to learn more about their experiences.

We found that giving brain injury survivors the chance to immerse themselves within the dynamic elements of tide, wind and sea can have a big impact on their mental health and well-being. It enabled participants to reconnect with the surface world and feel relieved from the day by day pressures of contemporary life.

Connecting individuals with nature shown earlier. To improve well-being and promote appreciation of the environment. But our patients reported some distinct advantages of browsing.

Unlike gardening, for instance, one among the participants sharing her experiences described surf therapy as something that “doesn't keep quiet.” It's something that's always evolving – falling off the board is a component of the educational process. It could be uncomfortable and disconcerting at first, but persistence can often result in a way of accomplishment.

Some of our participants reported that browsing taught them that each one sorts of emotions – whether positive or negative – are a vital a part of the human experience. Rather than trying to manage them, accepting them will help people find meaning of their lives.



Making room for difficult thoughts has enabled some brain injury survivors to reconnect with their values ​​and hobbies. Surfing gave him meaning and “a valid reason to live.” It also showed them that “despite being a little broken in places,” they were still capable people. This helped them to renegotiate their identity.

It can be essential to attach with people in similar situations after a brain injury. Many people report that they don’t feel understood by family and friends. Yet Belonging to There is a basic psychological need.

Being a part of a bunch enabled our brain injury survivors to know that there have been others with similar experiences. They were in a position to create a network where they might share resources and experiences to assist one another.

A seated tandem surfboard allows those that cannot sit unaided to take part in browsing.

The goal of therapy is to bring about lasting and meaningful change after brain injury. With immediate improvements in fitness, balance and coordination, Our follow-up research It was found that the patients continued to have interaction in outdoor physical activities as much as ten months later.

Some got stuck into browsing, while others went paddle boarding or swimming within the cold water. Suggestions for participating in research Intentionally designed water-based activities Can create a way of well-being much like browsing.

Our research indicates how the ability of the ocean can provide advantages to patients that standard medical settings don’t provide.