A long weekend in the woods once a month, certainly helps to keep me sane.
Buschcraft, fishing and PTSD
- Thread starter ghillieman
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BushMoot: Come along to the amazing Summer Moot 31st July - 5th August (extended Moot : 27th July - 8th August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I can't comment for other people or PTSD but spending weekends in the countryside being at one with nature works wonders for for my mental health. Modern city/town life does not feel natural for humans and spending time doing something real in nature feels like it cleanses the soul.
Whilst being away in the quiet woods , peaceful fishing lakes etc will be good for most peoples mental health - because its being away from situations that mostly overstimulate us I don't think JUST using that as an escape if the best way to deal with PTSD if its present.
Most of our real life still exists in the busy real life of everyone else real life - so its important I'd argue to get a toolbox of how to deal with those triggers. Its not always possible to retreat for mental health to the woods, rivers , lake etc.
So whilst they are useful inexpensive 'tools' - they are only applicable when one can remove oneself.
At some point one will need to build a larger tool box and figure out what creates those points that make you want to retreat.
Most of our real life still exists in the busy real life of everyone else real life - so its important I'd argue to get a toolbox of how to deal with those triggers. Its not always possible to retreat for mental health to the woods, rivers , lake etc.
So whilst they are useful inexpensive 'tools' - they are only applicable when one can remove oneself.
At some point one will need to build a larger tool box and figure out what creates those points that make you want to retreat.
You're not wrong there. Even medication, where prescribed, is proven to be more effective when combined with things like talking therapies. I've found both to be helpful in the past, but the talking therapies and the filling of the 'tool box' as you put it is what has helped me the most in the mid-long term. Given the ups and downs of life, I am not sure there is ever a point where it is 'job done' in terms of mental health and wellbeing, so having the tools there and available is an investment that can serve one throughout their whole life.
Another obstacle with this is that not only do men often struggle to talk to someone in the first place, but sometimes it can take a few tries to find a therapist who is a suitable fit for your needs. There are some pretty pants ones out there, but there are also some fantastic ones, so it's worth persevering if at first one doesn't succeed.
Don't know if anybody followed the ' show us yer steak challenge that ran on youtube a while ago, but that was all about mental health and using bush craft to both raise awareness and talk about it
Show us yer steak challenge (original)
Show us yer steak challenge (original)
Studies have shown that simply “being in nature” improves one’s mental health considerably. Of course, we all know that. But do we do enough of it?…
Been in several programs with EMDR and Exposure , did not much for me, i day hike in the woods does the job for a while, the rest is keep breathing....,thanks for sharing this .
Tiens, voila du boudin, voila du boudin, voila du boudin
Pour les Alsaciens, les Suisses et les Lorrains
Pour les Belges, y en a plus
Pour les Belges, y en a plus
Ce sont des tireurs au cul
The French are just mad they sold out Napoleon and Joined Britain. Haven't forgiven them.
Interestingly enough, When i signed up, if if wasn't for a Belgian recruit in Lille, Chap called Albert (not his real name... He knew me as Victor at the time for gods sake lol).. I might not have even got to Aubagne. He spoke both French and Anglais, Stopped me getting a few kickings. He got some right **** at Aubagne, was gonna go Civile... Told him i had his back, he stuck it out... Was a sergeant chef when he retired. Still friends today.
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Thank you all, for your replies, means a lot....
Anything that exercises the brain is pretty much good for mental health. The peace of the outdoors, the satisfaction derived from completed project, the learning that comes from doing different things,coming home with supper you caught yourself, it all contributes. I do it to channel my ADHD. I also have depression/anxiety but when that's being a problem I have difficulty concentrating on it.
If it's something you derive positive feelings from, it's having a positive effect on you. I seriously hope my answer helps; I have CPTSD from workplace abuse, but I've been out of that environment for 6 years now and it's less of a problem. I've even taken to learning psychology on my own.
I was diagnosed with PTSD and went through 2 years of therapy with NHS Veterans Wales. A combination of CBT & EMDR which worked to a certain degree but I found that being in my woods and wandering the land post treatment has helped immensely.
I still have my dark days and my wife picks up on it straight away and tells me to get my backside to the woods, out for hike in the hills or away for a weekend of Bushcraft & Survival.
It isn't going to work for everyone but it certainly works for this callsign.
I still have my dark days and my wife picks up on it straight away and tells me to get my backside to the woods, out for hike in the hills or away for a weekend of Bushcraft & Survival.
It isn't going to work for everyone but it certainly works for this callsign.
Speaking as a Canadian, I know how therapeutic the outdoors is. Nice to see more ex-military on here. I was in the Canadian Air Force back in the 1980s. Didn't last due to health reasons but its still nice to have in my history.
My main issues now are a jawbone infection plus associated side effects and complications. After 2+ years of that now I'm eager for the snow to bugger off again for another cycle.
There's a beaver pond a 5 minute walk from here that'll have a load of fresh sticks to pick and choose from. Until then, my artwork keeps me busy. I've been getting into making slingshots done as replica rifles the last couple years and it works wonders on the adhd with the hyperfocus. The sense of accomplishment from making my own things gives a nice boost too. You do what you can, and with the rest, adapt as best as you can. You have a good one for now,
Al
My main issues now are a jawbone infection plus associated side effects and complications. After 2+ years of that now I'm eager for the snow to bugger off again for another cycle.
There's a beaver pond a 5 minute walk from here that'll have a load of fresh sticks to pick and choose from. Until then, my artwork keeps me busy. I've been getting into making slingshots done as replica rifles the last couple years and it works wonders on the adhd with the hyperfocus. The sense of accomplishment from making my own things gives a nice boost too. You do what you can, and with the rest, adapt as best as you can. You have a good one for now,
Al
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I can't speak for PTSD, but fishing has always been my mental 'reset'. When I can't go I feel myself slipping mentally.
A day at the lake by myself with some peace and quite seems to fix it for a while and gives my mind something to fixate and obsess over for a bit before and after.
When I was younger there were a few years where it got me through really tough times and I was out there almost every weekend. Not sure what I would have done if I didn't have the option to be at a lake or dam.
More recently I've taken up fly fishing and have a local river I can fish. I find that a few hours in the morning or evening makes a huge difference to my mood.
We haven't evolved to sit behind a desk for 12 hours a day... and it shows for me.
A day at the lake by myself with some peace and quite seems to fix it for a while and gives my mind something to fixate and obsess over for a bit before and after.
When I was younger there were a few years where it got me through really tough times and I was out there almost every weekend. Not sure what I would have done if I didn't have the option to be at a lake or dam.
More recently I've taken up fly fishing and have a local river I can fish. I find that a few hours in the morning or evening makes a huge difference to my mood.
We haven't evolved to sit behind a desk for 12 hours a day... and it shows for me.
Ah, but there's nothing better than fly fishing. I'm between surgeries now so I may get my license and start tying again. I signed up here for something else to do on my downtime due to bone infection so when I get the hang of linking to my cloud I'll post some of the things I make to pass the time.
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