How scuba diving cleanses one’s soul and mental being

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From a close encounter with marine life to the therapeutic effects of the ocean and the outdoors, scuba diving offers a wealth of benefits for mental wellness. Whether one is a recreational beginner or an experienced deep sea diver that does it for work, these benefits aren’t to be ignored.

Stress relief Modern life is fraught with challenge at school or work, and the never-ending mission to win or get ahead of others. Scuba diving is an effective stress relief where breathing slowly and deeply while diving incites a calm and relaxed state while the diver concentrates on the underwater world, not life’s problems. This helps reduce stress and balance the nervous system.

Image source: Pixabay.com  

Travel and socialization Diving is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and build or become part of a community. The experiences made underwater lead to conversations and a bond that can last a long time. Traveling to warm climates to dive is also a great way to experience new cultures, have fun, and soak in some sun for its mental benefits.

Mindfulness and being present in the moment With its focus on natural navigation, scuba diving heightens one’s presence in and observation of specific moments. It comes easy for divers to observe the most important rule in mindfulness, which is to observe, not judge. In highly concentrating, too, they are lost in time, feeling the happiness that the experience affords, and puts the past, the future, and their problems behind.

Tup Ingram, M.D. is a reconstructive and plastic surgeon raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, currently holding practice in Nashville, Tennessee. When he’s not busy with work, he enjoys flying, scuba diving, and exercising. Learn more about his passions on this page.

Some benefits of a tummy tuck

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The number of people undergoing a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty has grown significantly over the years.  Between the year 2000 and 2014 alone, tummy tuck procedures in the U.S. rose 87%, based on statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

The procedure entails tightening muscles and doing away with loose skin and fat from the abdominal area.  It often complements the now-popular mommy makeover set of procedures that aid women in recovering their figures after giving birth. 

While a tummy tuck offers a lot of aesthetic benefits, it likewise provides sound medical and health advantages.  For one, the procedure helps patients improve posture and abdominal tone, especially after a series of pregnancies or severe weight loss.  Weak muscles are tightened to support the spine more durably, while excess fat deposits are removed to flatten the abdomen.

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Tummy tucks also offer relief from ventral hernia, wherein the abdominal tissue or intestine starts to push past the abdominal wall.  This condition may follow an appendectomy or a Caesarian section.  An abdominoplasty likewise aids in dealing with stress urinary incontinence or SUI, which may develop in women after giving birth.  Here, the bladder has been weakened and tends to empty itself when one coughs, sneezes, laughs, or exerts effort in general.

With a tummy tuck, fully healed patients will notice that doing exercises is now more tolerable, helping them recover their interest in activities like walking, running, gym routines, and even aerobics.  This is because those weak abs have now been strengthened and excess skin that impedes movement has been done away with.

Tup Ingram, M.D. is a reconstructive and plastic surgeon. He completed his residencies in general and plastic surgery in the Southwestern Medical Center and took various fellowships abroad. More reads on cosmetic surgery procedures here.