waxyourboard
Registered
Hi all,
I wanted to share something personal that might resonate with some of you. When I first started diving, I had a lot of anxiety about being underwater. Even though I had done all the training, the idea of descending into the deep made my heart race. I know many new divers struggle with this, so I thought I'd share how I worked through it and how diving has become such a rewarding experience for me.
Today, diving is one of my favorite hobbies, and I’m no longer anxious when I step into the water. I can’t say that I don’t ever feel nervous (especially before deep dives), but the anxiety no longer takes over. If you’re someone who struggles with dive anxiety, I just want to say – you’re not alone, and it does get better with time and practice.
Does anyone else here struggle with anxiety before or during dives? How did you work through it?
I wanted to share something personal that might resonate with some of you. When I first started diving, I had a lot of anxiety about being underwater. Even though I had done all the training, the idea of descending into the deep made my heart race. I know many new divers struggle with this, so I thought I'd share how I worked through it and how diving has become such a rewarding experience for me.
- I remember my first few dives – I’d often feel nervous, especially when it was time to descend. It’s so easy to ignore or push through fear, but acknowledging it was the first step toward overcoming it. Realizing that I wasn’t alone in feeling this way helped me a lot.
- I started with short, shallow dives and gradually built my confidence. My instructor was great at going at my pace, and I never felt rushed to push myself further than I was comfortable with. It’s amazing what a couple of slow, easy dives will do to settle your nerves.
- Breathing is such a simple thing, but I found it to be the most effective tool in managing anxiety underwater. Focused breathing really helped me stay calm and remind myself that I’m in control. Practicing breathing techniques on land first gave me more confidence.
- Having a buddy who understands and respects my pace was key. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting out, diving with someone who’s encouraging and calm makes a world of difference.
- Before each dive, I would visualize myself enjoying the dive and being calm. I know it sounds a bit “woo-woo,” but it really helped shift my mindset.
- Every dive was a little victory. I made sure to celebrate the milestones – whether it was staying calm on a dive or successfully completing a challenging dive.
Today, diving is one of my favorite hobbies, and I’m no longer anxious when I step into the water. I can’t say that I don’t ever feel nervous (especially before deep dives), but the anxiety no longer takes over. If you’re someone who struggles with dive anxiety, I just want to say – you’re not alone, and it does get better with time and practice.
Does anyone else here struggle with anxiety before or during dives? How did you work through it?
