SUP and anxiety struggles.
A true story.
As a young pup, pre-pubescence, a happy-go-lucky attitude is usually par for the course. Not always but usually. Running around β rather tearing about β without a care in the world. Just as it should be. Fast forward slightly to that time in life when hair starts sprouting from unusual places, anatomical morphing leads to unexpected sizing of muscular areas and mentally, hormonally everything changes into a whole new entity. At the same time those tiny chemical particles that inhabit your brain can also shift, in some cases being a little (to a lot) out of balance.
During teenage years our subject in question always knew there was something a little off, deep down. But as was the case back then, unlike now, no labels were available. Instead β at first subconsciously β that mildly odd feeling, which couldnβt quite be shook off, was termed: βdoom feelingβ. That suggests something bad might be impending but actually it was simply born of the musical and literacy interests of the subject.
Manifesting itself as only unease into twentyβs there wasnβt too much to be concerned by. Sunnier situations outweighing the dark were far more in abundance. Only every so often, as far as can be recalled, would the little black cloud move in to cast shadows. At this point it was often dismissed, our subject resorting to proven methods of blowing the clouds away. Most notably getting creative and using the ocean as a source of cleansing.
Unfortunately conditioning and onset of further aging can never really quell these feelings. Instead, alongside additional responsibility β a factor of life as we grow β the unease grows in tandem. At this point society began to recognise mental health challenges. Terms and descriptions have been doled out and itβs perfectly acceptable to talk about issues in public. Anxiety, which is what weβre referring to with this story, is a very real thing, as many will know.
To lesser or greater degrees this is what our subject deals with. Some days can be more severe than other periods. And thereβs not really any trigger to put fingers upon. Life can be peachy; life can be hard; yet anxiety comes and goes with no discernible way of identifying the cause. What is true, however β certainly of this instance β is anxiety can often be seen trundling along mental health tracks in the distance, itβs final destination the subjectβs mind.
Big life-changing events do nothing to help anyone with anxiety. In fact, these circumstances make it worse, exacerbating the experience. That once below the surface bubbling can emerge as something more. In this instance manifested as frustration and mild anger, especially when thinking about normally innocuous situations.
Itβs long been communicated hobbies such as stand up paddle boarding β exercise in general β can help when dealing with anxiety β mental health problems in general. Buying in to the Zen-esque phrase: βleave all your problems ashoreβ isnβt quite right as those problems still remain, even when youβre indulging in your chosen discipline. You never forget, even when out in the ocean. But paddling can serve as a release β sometimes. We say βsometimesβ as unfortunately SUP can make things worse. In the case of our subject, who searches for βconditionsβ, having studied at length weather info, swell data, wind patterns and tides and such. When the planets donβt align, which can be regularly, as letβs face it: Mother Nature isnβt exactly consistent, those frustrations mentioned above can be heightened.
Mental health is a discussion topic on many peopleβs lips currently. Itβs certainly seen as less taboo than previous. How to deal with it personally, however, is very individualistic. Talking can help as well as knowing oneself intimately and recognising the signs. If others are aware they can also be on hand. And physical activity like stand up paddling, on the whole, is a release valve that can be put to good use mostly…
If youβre struggling talk to someone. Donβt suffer in silence.
