Kayaking As Therapy: Improving Mental Health

Low-lying mist hangs over a mirror-smooth lake as the sun begins its ascent. The crystal clear reflection creates an illusion of two worlds kissing - and you just breathe.

The slap of your paddle startles a bird, and a bald eagle takes flight for its eyre - and you breathe in.

The adrenalin pumps as you navigate the frothy whitewater and chute through the rapids  - and you gulp in a breath.

Recent studies show that moments of awe that you experience while kayaking play a vital role in mental health, especially for those dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Two different reports published in the journal Emotion have found that AWE - more than joy, pride, amusement, contentment, or other positive emotions - provides the longest-lasting boost to one’s overall feeling of well-being. 

The sense of well-being found on the water is highly beneficial for individuals with PTSD and related disorders. Physical, mental, and emotional components can significantly improve symptoms and provide lasting results.

Reduction in PTSD Symptoms

Studies have demonstrated remarkable improvements in PTSD symptoms through kayaking and similar water activities:

• In 2013, a study of the Heroes on the Water (HOW) program found that participants suffering from combat PTSD experienced a 78% reduction in overall stress, 77% reduction in hypervigilance, and 63% reduction in avoidance behavior by kayaking.
• As mentioned above, another study showed that a week after white-water rafting, participants (both military and foster care-related PTSD) reported an average 29% reduction in their symptoms.

Therapeutic Mechanisms

How does it work? Several factors aid in the effectiveness of kayaking in improving mental health. 

• Rhythmic motion: Believe it or not, the back-and-forth, repetition motion of paddling helps the brain to engage both halves. By moving across both sides of your body as you paddle, you are triggering the brain to work in each hemisphere. This work actually helps the brain to process traumatic memories.
• Nature Exposure: Just getting out into nature has remarkable therapeutic effects. The concepts of “blue space” and “green space” are well-studied. Bodies and minds heal faster when they are exposed to nature. Being on the water can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Mindfulness and focus: Also, kayaking uses skills that keep you in the moment. Concentrating on paddling, charting a course, planning your next step, or watching for wildlife can alleviate worrying and “spinning” and keep your mind focused in the here-and-now. This can be particularly important for those with PTSD.

Social Support

Another way that kayaking can improve mental health is the social aspect. Having a component of community that brings people together to share similar struggles can be extremely healing and crucial for recovery. 

• Many fantastic groups provide kayaking trips for those who share similar struggles. Having a supportive community that can relate to your experience can bring healing and provide connection on and off the water.
• In addition, there are physiological ramifications simply from a shared experience. Just being in the same kayak or having the same experience as another can lead to similar emotional and hormonal responses. In reality, the therapeutic results are contagious.

Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness

One of the practical advantages of kayaking as therapy is its low cost and accessibility. 

• While kayaking involves costs, they are relatively inexpensive compared to other therapies. You can rent from a local boating shop that takes care of your upkeep and storage. Or you can invest in your own kayak.
• You can kayak almost anywhere, making it highly accessible. Since kayaks can go where other boats can’t, you can take advantage of shallow water and small ponds. 
• Kayaks are also very adaptive. They can be altered to allow individuals with various physical limitations to participate.

Long-Term Benefits

The beauty of kayaking is that the results are experienced on and off the water. Time and again, participants in kayaking activities report that the effects persist even after it is over.  

• The awe that participants reported after a whitewater trip contributed to improvements in social relationships, life satisfaction, and overall happiness even after the trip.
• And kayaking regularly can serve as a form of preventative medicine for mental health issues, including PTSD.

In combination with traditional treatments, kayaking offers a holistic option to treating PTSD and other mental health disorders. By touching on physical, mental, and emotional components, kayaking’s effectiveness is supported by scientific and anecdotal evidence.  So, the next time you paddle out, open yourselves up to the awe-inspiring experience of nature. Happy Paddling!