Page 357 - Total War on PTSD

and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources. We will continue to realize our vision of bringing One with the Water to communities across our nation.
Our swimming lessons are taught using growth-mindset techniques. I regularly witness transformational miracles in our Veterans, both in and out of the water, as they shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset learn to love challenges, are intrigued by mistakes, and intentionally seek out new challenges. They have learned that their circumstances matter less than who they are.
SWIMMING AS A VIABLE PTSD THERAPY
Health benefits of swimming: The health benefits of swimming are well documented. Countless studies outline the many ways swimming has a positive impact on your health. Here are just a few, among many. Swimming improves cardio function without the stress of impact sports. Swimming helps maintain a healthy weight. Swimming improves endurance while toning muscle and building strength, and can help alleviate stress and reduce depression and anxiety.[1]
However, there are specific benefits for disabled Veterans and those suffering from PTSD. Water buoyancy allows movement-restricted individuals to move freely and helps build muscle in low muscle tone individuals. Additionally, self-regulation, speech, oral motor control, strength and coordination are just a few areas that can improve with therapy in the water. According to the Disabled Sports USA, swimming not only improves flexibility within the joints and muscles, but strengthens the cardiovascular system as well as the major muscle groups in the upper and lower body.[2] Finally, because the heart works harder when the body is submerged, swimmers benefit from decreased swelling, reduced blood pressure and improved joint position. This in turn improves the swimmers’ proprioception, or body awareness.
Additionally, swimming boosts the blood flow to the brain. One 2014 study found that blood flow to the cerebral arteries increased between 9-14% depending on their location in the brain.[3] The benefits of increased blood flow to the brain are
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