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Beneath the Surface: How Scuba Diving Supports Mental Health During PTSD Awareness Month

  • Writer: Brennan Autry
    Brennan Autry
  • Jun 3
  • 3 min read

June is PTSD Awareness Month—a time dedicated to increasing understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder and promoting pathways to healing. While traditional therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and medications remain effective treatments, many individuals with PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anxiety, and depression are discovering the transformative benefits of an unexpected therapeutic tool: scuba diving.


The Natural State of Mindfulness


One of the primary benefits of scuba diving lies in its ability to induce a meditative state. The rhythmic sound of breathing through a regulator, the sensation of weightlessness, and the immersive nature of the underwater world all encourage a focus on the present moment, a practice similar to those used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). According to a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, engaging in “blue space” activities, such as diving, can significantly lower stress levels and improve mood (Gascon et al., 2017).

Immersed in serenity, scuba diving offers a unique path to mental wellness, helping individuals manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression through mindful connection with the underwater world.
Immersed in serenity, scuba diving offers a unique path to mental wellness, helping individuals manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression through mindful connection with the underwater world.

Physiological Benefits: The Power of Breath and Pressure



Scuba diving naturally slows respiration and heart rate, mimicking breathing techniques used to reduce anxiety. The consistent, deep inhalations required underwater help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting calmness and relaxation. Additionally, mild pressure from the water acts as a soothing compression therapy—akin to weighted blankets often recommended for anxiety and PTSD sufferers.


Building Trust and Confidence


For individuals with PTSD or GAD, feeling out of control can be a daily challenge. Scuba diving offers a structured, skills-based activity that emphasizes preparation, teamwork, and safety. Completing a dive or a training milestone can lead to a powerful sense of accomplishment and control, helping to rebuild trust in one’s abilities and the environment.

A 2015 study by the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation explored adaptive scuba diving programs for veterans with PTSD and found significant improvements in both self-reported psychological well-being and social functioning (Carin-Levy et al., 2015).


Community and Connection


Diving is rarely a solo activity. Whether it is working with a buddy underwater, planning a dive trip, or simply sharing experiences afterward, diving fosters community and connection—key components in reducing symptoms of depression and isolation. The diving community often becomes a support network, especially for veterans and first responders who may feel disconnected in civilian life.


Nature as a Healing Force


Finally, exposure to natural environments has been repeatedly linked to reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. The underwater world (vivid, quiet, and otherworldly) offers a sanctuary free from the daily triggers of life. According to a 2019 meta-analysis in Environmental Research, natural environments consistently show therapeutic benefits for mental health (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018).



Peace beneath the surface—scuba diving can help calm the mind and heal the soul.
Peace beneath the surface—scuba diving can help calm the mind and heal the soul.

Final Thoughts


While scuba diving is not a standalone treatment for PTSD or other mental health disorders, it can be a powerful complementary therapy. The combination of mindfulness, physical regulation, community, and connection to nature offers a holistic approach to emotional healing. For those living with PTSD, GAD, anxiety, or depression, diving may provide more than just an adventure—it may offer peace beneath the surface.


Bibliography


  • Carin-Levy, G., Jones, D., & Mitchell, C. (2015). Adaptive scuba diving for veterans with PTSD: A pilot study on psychological benefits. Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, 37(22), 2051–2057. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.996676

  • Gascon, M., Zijlema, W., Vert, C., White, M. P., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2017). Outdoor blue spaces, human health, and well-being: A systematic review of quantitative studies. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 220(8), 1207–1221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.08.004

  • Twohig-Bennett, C., & Jones, A. (2018). The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Research, 166, 628–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.030

 
 
 

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