Scuba Therapy
Yes, we divers agree that scuba is therapeutic. In 2011 the Veterans Administration came closer to authorizing scuba as a form a therapy; this is a major leap forward in the validation process. I'd like to propose something additional. Pre-scuba therapy.
Divers like to set goals and train for them. Often, this training is structured in either a classroom or a pool before going to open water. Pre-scuba cognitive therapy is one additional tool that has helped me in the past and today was a remarkable refresher. The power of guided imagery (akin to hypnosis) has long been recognized by therapists as an important clinical tool to keep in the toolbox. Today, my guided imagery had great results. While today's session was combined with groundwork yesterday, the clinician in today's session utilized a reading from "Clinical Applications of Hypnosis" by George Gafney.
Today's session took a reading about the molasses reef in Florida and made it into a mini-dive trip that I could use to work on my breathing. Breathing can become rapid without us knowing it. Slowing down this breathing and making sure to breathe as divers must, is an imperative skill. Clearing a mask at one hundred feet, at fifty feet or even twenty feet is very important. Practicing this skill in guided imagery helps me to grab a hold of stressful life events I'm currently facing while also preparing me for the upcoming dives I have yet to plan. It's a way for me to stay sharp and it only takes a little time and not a lot of travel. For those few minutes of guided imagery, whether ten minutes or twenty minutes or forty minutes, I'm working on my diving skills.
Now that's done for today, I'm even more motivated to push a little harder in the gym today, and tomorrow, etc.
Divers like to set goals and train for them. Often, this training is structured in either a classroom or a pool before going to open water. Pre-scuba cognitive therapy is one additional tool that has helped me in the past and today was a remarkable refresher. The power of guided imagery (akin to hypnosis) has long been recognized by therapists as an important clinical tool to keep in the toolbox. Today, my guided imagery had great results. While today's session was combined with groundwork yesterday, the clinician in today's session utilized a reading from "Clinical Applications of Hypnosis" by George Gafney.
Today's session took a reading about the molasses reef in Florida and made it into a mini-dive trip that I could use to work on my breathing. Breathing can become rapid without us knowing it. Slowing down this breathing and making sure to breathe as divers must, is an imperative skill. Clearing a mask at one hundred feet, at fifty feet or even twenty feet is very important. Practicing this skill in guided imagery helps me to grab a hold of stressful life events I'm currently facing while also preparing me for the upcoming dives I have yet to plan. It's a way for me to stay sharp and it only takes a little time and not a lot of travel. For those few minutes of guided imagery, whether ten minutes or twenty minutes or forty minutes, I'm working on my diving skills.
Now that's done for today, I'm even more motivated to push a little harder in the gym today, and tomorrow, etc.
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