Nature, activity, and social drivers of mental resilience: a test with mid-life women surfers

Nature exposure improves mental health, human capital, and economic productivity. Outcomes are well established, drivers and mechanisms less so. Thrill + skill activities, additional to exercise and nature, are least studied. We analyse their effects for 40 mid-life women surfers in 16 countries, contrasted with 16 women hikers. We use an 11-year ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis under interpretive grounded theory. The surfers perceive that surfing strongly improves their mental resilience to stress, irrespective of any concurrent clinical therapy. They identify three drivers and mechanisms: nature, creating happiness or joy; activity, creating thrill, triumph and self-esteem; and social, support and friendship from other women surfers. They perceive these as building a cumulative buffer of gratitude for life, which provides resilience against setbacks. In large-scale implementation of nature-based mental healthcare, both nature-only and nature + adventure products are valuable. The outdoor recreation sector provides practical options.