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A C O L LA B O R AT I O N FO R WO R L D M E N TA L H E A LT H DAY. B R O U G H T TO YO U BY B E YO N D B LU E X R I P C U R L X M R . ZO G G S .
World Mental Health Day – October 10 — is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. An initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide. BEYOND BLUE’S VISION IS THAT EVERYONE ACHIEVES THEIR BEST POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH. While Beyond Blue’s primary focus is on the needs of people affected by depression, anxiety and suicide, we also believe that a better understanding of what we mean by mental health and how to achieve it will help everyone in Australia reach their full potential. This will also contribute to the prevention of mental health conditions, and support people who have experienced these conditions to get as well as they can and lead full and contributing lives. Having social connections, good personal relationships and being part of a community are vital to maintaining good mental health and contribute to people’s recovery, should they become unwell. However, if you feel that you may be affected by depression or anxiety remember they are treatable conditions and effective treatments are available. The earlier you seek support, the better. For more information, visit beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/what-is-mental-health
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
DAILY MEDS A M O R N I N G R I T UA L + T H E CA L M W I T H I N . Calm, a state of mental clarity that is quiet and tranquil. Complete stillness found before the rest of the world wakes and the calm of being in your own mind before you take on your day. Surfing to Jake is as much a hobby as it is a necessity. He loves the water, and while he’s having fun it’s calming him; clearing his mind, refreshing his outlook. It’s as if a quick dip in the ocean hits reset, leaving him with a wave of vitality over his whole being. The bridge that surfing paves between the calm within and his positive mental health is a profound one.
With science to back it and communities growing in support of it, surf-therapy is gaining traction around the world as a tool to help people cope with stress, anxiety Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other forms of mental illness.
Have you ever wondered what goes on in your brain when you surf? Looking for the science, logic, and reasoning behind the stoke you experience when out in the water? We often hear that “Only a surfer knows the feeling” and “There’s no greater high,” but that never seems to satisfy us. For centuries, doctors have recommended beach sessions to their patients. The ocean has a naturally soothing effect on the brain, and simply being around crashing waves will make us feel at ease and happy. But have you ever wondered why this happens? The crashing waves release negatively charged ions, which trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the body and alter the brainwaves.
Negative ions cannot be seen with the naked eye or smelled, but they are around us in certain environments, especially around large bodies of water. To be more precise, these are oxygen atoms with negatively charged electrons that are produced through water molecules. Negative ions are nature’s anti-depressant, triggering the release of serotonin and endorphins, those magical neurotransmitters that relieve stress and make us feel good. Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, which leads to mental sharpness and increased mental energy. They also promote the activity of Alpha brainwaves (keep reading to find out more about these). Therefore, it’s not just the pleasure of catching a wave that will put a smile on your face, but also the air you breathe.
B E YO N D B LU E @ B E YO N D B LU E . O R G . AU R I P C U R L @ R I P C U R L . C O M . AU M R . ZO G G S @ S E X WA X . C O M