Research suggests adventure experiences boost mental health and wellbeing

With a new adrenaline-fuelled self-care trend rising in popularity across Australia, leading psychologist Dr Eric Brymer, from the Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University spotlights the  ‘skydive therapy’ – which refers to the use of adventurous experiences to boost mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Brymer is interested in the psychology of performance, wellbeing and learning in adventure and nature-based contexts. His research is particularly focused on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and wellbeing and the design of effective interventions.

The ‘skydive therapy’ trend is backed by new national research from adventure marketplace, Adrenaline, which reveals the transformative effects of adventure in making Australians feel happier (45%), more accomplished (43%) and more self-confident (33%).

Commissioned by Adrenaline in conjunction with YouGov, the research was conducted online in October 2023. Findings are based on a nationally representative sample of over 1,091 Australians aged 18+.

The research also revealed more than half (57%) of Australians are suffering from ‘routine fatigue’, classified as feeling stuck in their routine and dissatisfied with the lack of excitement in their lives. As a result, 77% are seeking adventurous experiences to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Brymer notes “While it’s commonly accepted that physical activity or spending time outside is good for you, it’s only now that people are starting to recognise the powerful impact of adventure on mental health and wellbeing, with participation rates growing far faster than traditional sports across the globe.

“For many people, adventure enables them to move past their comfort zones or fears and truly live in the moment, which can be psychologically freeing. As a result, Aussies who partake in adventure have reported feeling more capable than they’ve ever imagined, or believe they now see the world slightly differently.

“Over the course of my career, I’ve taken great interest in adventure through the lens of psychology, and this latest ‘skydive therapy’ trend is testament to the fact that it’s important for us all to embrace a life with a little more adventure in it.

"For those Aussies seeking to make life a little more adventurous, I recommend experiences that engage the emotions, immerse participants with nature, and are challenging - like skydiving, white water rafting, shark diving, canyoning and even swimming with dolphins."

Adrenaline Senior Marketing Manager, Toni Westlake adds “At Adrenaline, we know that completing an adventure feels incredible. Whether it is because it simply gets you outdoors, or feeling accomplished from stepping out of your comfort zone.

“However, our research uncovered a deeper transformative effect of adventure, particularly on people under 35. They reported long lasting impacts on their happiness, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement as a result of undertaking adventures. So we're delighted to partner with Dr Eric Brymer to give Aussies actionable tips on how to add a touch of adventure to their lives, and achieve our mission to help people overcome their barriers to pursuing adventure.”

Dr Brymer, recommends the below Adrenaline-fuelled experiences that engage the emotions, immerse participants with nature, and are challenging, to help Australians step outside of their comfort zone:

Challenging experiences

• Skydiving

• V8 Driving

Immersed in nature

• Swim with dolphins

• Canyoning

• Learn to surf

Engage with emotions

• Scenic flights

• Swim with sharks

• Jet boats

For more information about the research and how to overcome the barriers to pursuing adventure, visit adrenaline.com.au/makeadventurehappen.

Image. Credit: Tandem Skydive