City Research Online

Abstract

The impact of mental health distress on the lives of people, interpersonal relationships and the worldwide systems is facing an epidemic. As mental health services are over stretched and the mental health crisis continues to grow, innovative and accessible solutions are needed to meet the needs of those struggling with psychological difficulties. Anxiety and depressive disorders have been found to be the most common mental health difficulty people are struggling with worldwide. Cold water swimming in nature represents swimming outdoors in natural waters mainly occurring during the winter or in the colder or polar places. Blue spaces are increasingly recognised for their therapeutic potential. This study investigates the experience of cold-water swimming in nature for those that self-identify as having anxiety, low mood or both. Eight participants aged between 27 – 71 were recruited through a purposive and snowball sampling. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, three main themes emerged: (1) the activating emotional journey; (2) finding myself in the water and (3) psychological anchorage. The findings revealed that participants were able to have an emotional experience process unresolved trauma and grief. They prescribed deep meaning making into cold water swimming considering difficult times in their lives and for many a newfound identity was born. Finally, it provided them with stability in life which helped them manage their mental health difficulties. Through an in-depth exploration of these themes, the work aims to add to the field of Counselling Psychology by learning about the therapeutic elements of cold-water swimming in nature for those who experience anxiety and low mood. Overall, this research highlights the importance of embodiment in therapeutic practices, thus enhances the use of somatic interventions for psychological difficulties and the value of ecotherapy.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Psychology & Neuroscience School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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