Surfing and mental health, grief for dead celebrities, and being unique
Sep 17, 2024
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Ariane Gerami, a researcher at the University of Bristol, explores how surfing can boost mental health, discussing the need for more evidence on surf therapy's effectiveness. Dr. Peter Olusoga, a psychologist at Sheffield Hallam University, dives into the declining need for uniqueness in a social media-driven world. Claudia Hammond also touches on the intense grief felt for deceased celebrities, revealing intriguing insights into parasocial relationships and modern mourning practices. The conversation balances personal reflections on surfing and celebrity influence on mental health.
Surfing has potential mental health benefits through physical activity and social interaction, but research supporting its efficacy is still developing.
Parasocial grief for celebrities can evoke intense emotions similar to personal loss, highlighting the significance of media connections in our lives.
Deep dives
The Benefits of Surfing for Mental Health
Engaging in surfing combines physical activity, being near water, and social interaction, all of which contribute positively to mental well-being. Surf therapy programs have shown promise, particularly for groups like military personnel and emergency services, as they aim to enhance psychological health. Participants often experience a sense of achievement when they master skills related to surfing, which further boosts their self-esteem and mood. While the enthusiasm for surfing as a therapeutic tool is growing, the research supporting its efficacy is still developing and requires more robust studies.
Research Challenges in Surf Therapy
Current research on surfing's benefits for mental health is limited by small sample sizes and a lack of randomized control trials, making findings difficult to generalize. Most studies conducted so far have not involved diverse or large cohorts, which hampers the ability to draw strong conclusions. Understanding the long-term effects of surfing on mental well-being is essential, yet underexplored, leaving an important gap in the literature. As interest in surfing therapy continues to rise, systematic studies are needed to provide solid evidence to support its integration into formal health interventions.
Parasocial Relationships and Grief
Experiencing grief for celebrities, known as parasocial grief, can be profound due to the emotional connections formed over time through media consumption. Individuals often feel a sense of loss similar to losing a close friend when a beloved celebrity passes, as these relationships can significantly impact their daily lives. Factors such as identification with a celebrity's life experiences or even their voice can intensify these feelings during moments of loss. Acknowledging this type of grief is important, as it validates the impact these figures have on individuals' emotional landscapes.
Community and Shared Grief
The communal aspect of grieving for well-known figures has become increasingly relevant in today's social media landscape, allowing people to share and validate their experiences. Vigorous discussions and emotional expressions create a gathering space for individuals to connect through shared feelings of loss. These interactions can foster new relationships and deepen connections among those who feel similarly affected by the death of a public figure. Additionally, these moments often lead to increased awareness and sharing of resources related to mental health, highlighting the potential for positive outcomes from shared grief experiences.
Claudia Hammond has her surfboard and wetsuit at the ready to investigate whether surfing could improve her mental health. And she speaks to Ariane Gerami from the University of Bristol to find out whether the enthusiam for surfing to help your mental health is coming ahead of the evidence.
Claudia is joined in the studio by psychologist Dr Peter Olusoga at Sheffield Hallam University. They talk about a study that's found the need for uniqueness has dwindled over the last 20 years.
And one of our listeners got in touch to ask why she felt so much grief for someone she had never met, following the death of Michael Mosley . Claudia speaks to sociologist Dr Ruth Penfold-Mounce from the University of York, and psychologist Dr Dara Greenwood from Vassar College in New York, to discuss why we can feel such an intense loss for someone we've never met.
And the All in the Mind Awards are open for entries. We hear from Ben May from bereavement charity The New Normal, who won the project category in 2023. Full details about the awards are in the programme, or at bbc.co.uk/radio4/allinthemind where you’ll find full terms and conditions too. Entries close at 1pm on 8th January 2025.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell
Editor: Holly Squire
Production coordinator: Siobhan Maguire
Photo credit: The Wave
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