HOW SAILING HELPS OUR VETERANS
Recreational and competitive sailing can be a highly beneficial activity for Veterans, offering a range of physical and mental health benefits that can help them to thrive. Here are just a few ways in which competitive sailing can help Veterans:
- It promotes teamwork and collaboration: In sailing, team members must work together to navigate a course and make strategic decisions. This teamwork can help to create a sense of belonging and connection, as well as provide a sense of accomplishment when the team is successful.
- It promotes physical fitness: Sailing requires physical strength and endurance, as well as balance and coordination. Participating in competitive sailing can help Veterans to stay active and maintain their physical health.
- It promotes mental health: The physical and mental challenges of competitive sailing can provide a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being in control, which can be particularly rewarding for Veterans who may have experienced trauma or injury. The therapeutic nature of sailing can also help Veterans to cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
- Certification and Competition provide are goal oriented: Competitive sailing requires dedication and commitment. Participating in competitive sailing can provide a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being part of something bigger than oneself again.
By providing opportunities for Veterans to participate in the sport, US PATRIOT Sailing plays a vital role in supporting the well-being and resiliency of our Veterans.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
There is clinic evidence (and many success stories) that highlight sailing, and other water-based activities, benefits to mental health, including the prevention of suicide. Research has shown that participating in recreational activities, such as sailing, can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, and can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
In addition, studies have shown that participating in physical activity, such as sailing, can have a protective effect on mental health, and can reduce the risk of suicide. Physical activity has been shown to have a number of mental health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing self-esteem.
One clinical study specifically looked at the relationship between competitive sailing with fellow Veterans the increased functionality of Veterans suffering from chronic PTSD - the result was an increase of over 30%. A second study found that veterans who participated in sailing reported improved mental health and well-being, and a reduction in suicidal thoughts. Seperately, veterans who participated in a recreational water-based program reported increased social support and a sense of accomplishment, which may have contributed to a reduction in suicidal thoughts1, 2.
By providing opportunities for veterans to participate in sailing and other recreational activities, US PATRIOT Sailing plays a vital role in supporting the well-being and resilience of our Veterans.
1 W R Marchand, W Klinger, K Block, S VerMerris, T S Herrmann, C Johnson, E Shubin, S Sheppard, Safety and psychological impact of sailing adventure therapy among Veterans with substance use disorders, August 1st, 2018 2 Joanna Ellen Bettmann, Ileana Anderson, Adam Hanley, Mental Health Outcomes of Peer-led Therapeutic Adventure for Military Veterans, December 13th, 2021 |
CONTACT US: contact@uspatriotsailing.org US Patriot Sailing, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
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