New York-based entrepreneur Matthew Beckerle spent more than three decades serving as showroom manager and yard foreman at his family’s lumber business. During this time, he has gained extensive experience in sales and customer service, which he now leverages as stock counter sales professional for Speonk Lumber. Outside of work, Matthew Beckerle maintains an interest in scuba diving.
When it comes to scuba diving, the ability to remain calm when underwater is key for addressing minor diving problems and remembering important diving techniques. Unfortunately, many people struggle with staying calm. Here are a few ways to decrease underwater anxiety when diving:
Meditate
People who are naturally more anxious have a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety when diving. To help with this, they can meditate to keep calm in their daily lives. Taking a quiet moment to themselves reduces their nervousness and helps them stay calm underwater.
Skip Caffeine and Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant and is linked to various mood disorders, even when consumed the night before a dive. Avoiding any booze reduces the risk of anxiety the day of the dive. Meanwhile, caffeine is a stimulant that is a known trigger for anxious feelings, so it’s also best avoided.
Dive According to Skill Level
Before getting in the water, divers should make sure that their planned dives match both their skill and comfort level. Diving beyond their skill level increases the likelihood that divers will experience situations that provoke anxiety, such as a longer ascent to the surface.
Learn about Marine Life
When divers encounter marine creatures that they are unfamiliar with, they often react with fear and stress, regardless of whether the creature is dangerous or not. Reading up on the local marine life helps divers be more prepared for the animals they may see underwater so they don’t freak out.
