Most people that spend tons of time at the beach agree that surfing is one of the most exciting activities around. Of course, beyond the excitement of becoming one with the great ocean is the fact that there are many different benefits of surfing from a mental, physical, and spiritual standpoint. 

Surfing is not only a wonderful form of exercise, but it also helps our minds in ways we couldn’t imagine. We want to take you through some of the top benefits of surfing for adults so that you can have a better time when you’re out in the water.

1. Surfing Aids Mental Health

Surfing is one of the best forms of exercise to combat mental afflictions, including PTSD, depression, autism, etc. Of course, you should never use it as an alternative for therapy or medication, though it’s not a bad way to make you feel better. Just check out this article about Gary Katz, a social worker form New York who says that surfing is one of the best forms of therapy around. Due to the fact that it is both a highly sensory and physical experience, you allow your body to disconnect. 

Essentially, surfing allows you a way to escape your mental troubles for a bit so you can improve your overall mood. 

2. Surfing Can Help Relieve Stress

Every modern person deals with stress in some form. Due to the fact that we are constantly connected to the Internet and our phones, we forget what it is like to let go every once in a while. 

Surfing is nostalgic in many ways, allowing us to have fun and enjoy ourselves without having to feel connected to anything but the waves. We highly recommend that every adult goes for a thirty-minute surf session before work. You’ll no doubt feel a million times better once you begin your day. 

3. Surfing Can Strengthen Your Body

Surfing is a wonderful form of physical exercise. In particular, surfing is great for the back. We spend a lot of our day hunched over at a computer. Most people don’t even realize how bad their posture is until someone points it out. Unfortunately, not many people do anything to exercise their backs and spines so that they retain strength over the years. 

Surfing is one of the best forms of back exercise around. Seriously, paddle around in the water for a good thirty minutes and you’ll see what we mean. Plus, you can get a few extra forms of strength training in by popping up on your board and carrying your gear to and from the car. 

4. Surfing Can Combat Cardiovascular Problems

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. There are about a hundred ways to combat cardiovascular problems, some of the top ways being a good diet, though it is also important that you have some form of cardio in your workout routine. Why not make that form of cardio something exciting like surfing? 

There are so many cardio exercises involved in surfing, including paddling, core balance, swimming, and more. From the minute you paddle out, you are constantly pushing through water and waves, which just so happen to be some of the strongest natural entities around.

If you are looking for a new form of cardio to add to your routine, or you are struggling with cardiovascular problems and are looking to combat them, we recommend picking up surfing.

5. Surfing Improves Flexibility

Surfing is one of the best forms of exercise to improve your overall flexibility. It is important to have good flexibility for a number of different reasons. Having the ability to move your muscles throughout their full range helps you to get more oxygen and blood to them. This allows your muscles to perform much better, as well as helps them to relax when the day is winding down to an end. 

Solid flexibility also helps to reduce the risk of injury when you are performing other activities, whether those activities are other kinds of sports or daily work. 

6. Surfing Can Help You Discover Your Spirituality

We’re not here to preach to you and we don’t believe that you need to believe in God or follow a specific religion to believe in spirituality. To us, spirituality is a sense of openness, calmness, self-reflection, realization, and perspective. It helps us to connect with the world around us on a more primal basis. 

All of these things can be found when surfing. You are out in the expanse that we call the ocean, appreciating one of the most beautiful things that Mother Nature has to offer. In this way, we disconnect with the struggles that modern society provides us with. Plus, when you’re done with a surfing session, you can sit on the beach and meditate for a while.

Go Surfing

Beyond the benefits that we listed here, there are so many more benefits to surfing out there. Surfing presents us with challenges that we must learn to overcome, a sentiment that we can easily apply to our regular lives. It is a fun activity that can bring family and friends together to enjoy things outside of simply watching television or going out to eat. For creators, surfing can be inspiring. 

If you are just getting started, don’t fret! It is easy these days to begin surfing with the help of a surf lesson with LGS, shops that carry affordable gear and buyer guides to help you select the right surfboard brands and accessories as a beginner.

Enjoy the challenge and the journey of surfing and we promise that you will see the benefits begin to unfold in your life. 

Happy shredding!