British doctors can now suggest surfing as a mental health remedy

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Posted 3 November, 2022

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By Jessica Byrne

London, UK

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Young people experiencing depression and anxiety will be prescribed surfing, roller skating, and dancing before being offered medication by doctors.

Let’s face it, feelings of being stressed, burnt out, and sad are bound to pop up in our hyper-aware and overloaded era of modern life.

Under these circumstances, the most tempting activity is to lie in bed and shut off with a ten-part Netflix series. But the truth is, over time, this tends to only exacerbate negative feelings.

More than half of young people say they have experienced depression and anxiety at some point, and clinics are becoming warier about handing out prescription pills to the masses.

Instead, doctors in 10 regions of the UK have been authorised to participate in a trial run of prescribing regular physical activity like surfing, rollerblading, and dancing to people between the ages of 11-18.

Dragging yourself out of a slump and performing physical exercise (though difficult when feeling down) can work wonders. Even a 20-minute stroll has been proven to activate the imaginative parts of the brain, help calm our nerves, and ultimately shift our perspective.

The hope is that starting a new hobby, achieving personal milestones, and engaging in some strenuous activity will improve the overall health and well-being of younger generations.

working out is really the key to happiness all the annoying people were right

— , (@warmtoned) July 19, 2021

I’m not going to go boomer-style and blame phones for every one of our problems, but the fact that we spend more time looking at screens than the world around us is clearly taking its toll.

Most children own a mobile phone by the age of 7, and surveys suggest that as young people reach their teens, at least 75 percent of them will be worried about being ‘addicted’ to these devices.

Of course, extended screen time can be at its most detrimental when it’s spent on social media sites. These places, where users typically only share the best moments of life, can lead to vicious cycles of social comparison and feelings of inadequacy.

Resisting the pull of these digital slot machines for content and replacing them with real-world activity is proven to improve general feelings of happiness. All it takes is one or two hours a day.

Amongst others benefits, exercise can improve sleep, foster stronger self-esteem, and presents opportunities to bond with others in class or sports settings.

Of course, prescribing physical activity to young people struggling with their mental health will be the first line of advice for now. Their progress will be monitored by the University College of London, which will track the results.

Let’s hope the impact is positive enough to become a long-lasting practice.

Jessica Byrne

Senior Writer & Media Coordinator London, UK

I’m Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Master’s degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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