Today’s Solutions: February 15, 2025

The practice of mindfulness can take on many shapes. You can do it while sitting still, walking through nature, or even surfing! Surfing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mindfulness, but really, it holds the essence of mindfulness.

Like yoga, surfing takes strength, skill, and self-reflection (plus a host of community-oriented and sustainability benefits, to boot). If you’re looking for a well-rounded form of exercise that can also give you the benefits of mindfulness, surfing might just be for you. Not convinced? Here are five reasons surfing feeds the mind, body, and soul.

It’s one of the most difficult sports: Think about it. Balancing on a surfboard takes some pretty impressive core strength. Balance, rhythm, and strength—needless to say, surfing takes some skill. So much so, it’s even a brand-new addition to the Olympic Games.

It allows you to connect to nature: Of course, there’s the obvious: You’re quite literally in the ocean as you surf. But don’t forget about the wildlife you share the water with—you might just see a whale pop up nearby. The best part? Surfing takes place in the ocean without affecting the ecosystem.

It’s meditative: Being in the moment is a part of surfing. Of course, if you’re a beginner, your thoughts most likely focus on how to maintain balance and avoid a face full of seawater. But once you’re able to catch a wave, you’ll be able to clear your mind and trust your body’s natural instincts. Better yet, you’ll become tuned into the natural movement of the wave. On a similar note, simply being out in the ocean can help you self-reflect and realize just how small you really are (just like how meditation can help you grasp the bigger picture of whatever is going on in your life).

It enhances sustainability initiatives: Surfers don’t want to be surfing on polluted, plastic-ridden oceans. As more and more people become interested in the sport, more (and stricter) clean water restrictions may follow suit. 

It fosters community: Like any sport, surfing garners a community of passionate, valuable players. Just as you may share the same values as your fellow yogis, surfers follow that same beat.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

This Canadian didn’t want to fly from Germany to Canada—so he took a cargo ship

When Will Vibert’s European work visa was closing in on its expiration date, the Canadian was reluctant to travel back to Vancouver via plane. ...

Read More

The psychological reason we’re so taken with Wordle

If you use any kind of social media platform, you may notice the sudden appearance of gray, green, and yellow boxes in grids cluttering ...

Read More

Hunger stones, dino tracks, and lost cities; discoveries exposed by drought

The severe droughts that are plaguing many parts of the world are altering life as we know it. Even though the climate crisis and ...

Read More

3 healthy habits to boost your immunity this cold and flu season

A mild headache that just won't go away, a box of tissues by the bed, and sleeping uncomfortably with your mouth wide open... It's ...

Read More