3 Mental Benefits of Skydiving

Feeling stressed or anxious? The mental benefits of skydiving might be able to help you out.

This past year has had its ups and downs and, admittedly, put a fair amount of strain on us both individually and as a country. The levels of stress most have undergone during this pandemic era have caused noticeable declines in general mental health. While skydiving is not a cure-all, many have discovered what we here at Skydive Paraclete XP have known for years — skydiving is an unexpected remedy. We promise we’re not pulling your leg. Skydiving isn’t just a thrilling pastime, it has a fair share of mental benefits too. 

While we could go on and on about the mental benefits of skydiving, we will keep it short and sweet. Keep reading to see three of the top mental benefits of skydiving.

1. A Moment Of Mindfulness

Not knowing what each day will bring, especially in light of current events, can wreak havoc on our abilities to stay grounded and present. Trapped on a seemingly endless conveyor belt of worry, we circle round and round like unclaimed luggage on a baggage carousel. It’s difficult to find even a second of respite. That is, unless you’ve discovered skydiving. 

When you are skydiving, there’s no mental bandwidth left to allot to worry or energy to dedicate to wondering about what tomorrow has in store. During your jump, for one beautiful moment, your mind is quiet. In those pristine seconds, nothing else exists. There is only the feel of the wind on your skin and the sensation of freefall. Even when the canopy opens, stray thoughts remain at bay. The experience of flying amongst the clouds completely overwhelms you, swallowing you whole in blissful surrender. In case you can’t tell,  it’s utterly awesome. 

2. Brain Boost

For those that like mental benefits grounded in the empirical, we’ve got something for you. This mental benefit of skydiving is scientifically backed. 

Sometimes, our brains need a little boost — a chemical pick-me-up, if you will. Similar to a shot of espresso when you’re feeling a bit sluggish, skydiving gives your brain a dose of a feel-good chemical cocktail consisting of dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline. The mental benefit you experience from this jolt of “go get ’em” juice derived from your “fight or flight” response is increased confidence, focus, and for some, even euphoria. This mental benefit typically lasts for several hours after a skydive but, in some rare cases, has been known to last up to a full day.

3. Psychologically Rewarding

Though the mental benefit of skydiving above tends to fade, this one is more enduring. The act of skydiving has been found to be quite psychologically rewarding. Many people view gathering the courage to skydive as a challenge. Thus, once they overcome the challenge, they experience a type of self-actualization. 

Skydiving helps individuals to discover the potential they intrinsically have. After all, if you can overcome your fear to jump from a perfectly good airplane, then what, pray tell, could possibly stand in your way? There really is nothing that can rival facing a fear and conquering it. Don’t be surprised if after your skydive you feel like you can move mountains. (Here’s a little secret: you can!)

Reap the mental benefits of skydiving with a jump at Skydive Paraclete XP. We’re ready when you are!