TOP 3 REASONS WHY SKYDIVING IS SO GREAT

We know, life is really different right now for so many people. The pandemic has quickly shifted our society while the rest of us adapt to the new changes, and the future of uncertainty. Here at Skydive Long Island, we're looking at the silver lining - not just because our head is in the clouds - but because we know that skydiving offers so much more than just a thrill. Skydiving is a lifestyle for so many because of the camaraderie, inclusiveness, and experiences it gives us. Here, we'd like to share our Top 3 Reasons Why Skydiving is So Great!

STRESS RELIEVING

Even before the pandemic, people loved to skydive because it was so amazing, and helped people step outside of their comfort zones. However, skydiving is much more. It's an unexplainable, heart pumping experience that also is a stress reliever. Truly! It is! Let science explain:

When you exercise, indulge in wine or chocolate, have sex, and even skydive, you release a chemical called endorphins. According to Healthline.com, "Endorphins are chemical messengers in your body, released by both your central nervous system and your pituitary gland. When released, endorphins can help relieve pain, reduce stress, and may cause a euphoric feeling."

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Socializing is a way of bonding, sorting out challenges, learning, and sharing experiences with others. We know it's been a challenge for many as we've merged into this 'new normal.'

According to the Mayo Clinic, "[Socializing is our] biological programming [that] drives us to gather in groups, usually shielding us from mental and physical harm. Today, we are faced with a community challenge in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. This new threat challenges us to be creative in how we maintain our social connections, and manage our mental and physical health."

Skydivers are incredibly inclusive and welcome all ages (at least 18 years of age or older to skydive at Skydive Long Island), genders, abilities, races, education, and personalities. This gives us an incredibly diverse community. In order to do all the cool stuff we do in skydiving, we need each other. We form bonds with some eccentric people that we may not have otherwise known. We learn from people we might not have thought as teachers. And we create history together.

Even now, in quarantine, many skydivers been creative and have united the community, using social media to share parties every week, using Zoom to do ground training never done before, and connecting in social media groups to talk about everything skydiving - keeping us together, even though we are apart.

OVERCOMING FEARS

Fear is one of our basic emotions that has been hardwired into us since our ancestors in prehistoric times. We found a great article about overcoming fear in Outside's Magazine, "Fear serves two main purposes: it's supposed to jack you up with enough adrenaline to fight a threat, and to etch the experience into your brain so you know to avoid that threat in the future."

We know fear is real and it means so many different things to each person. Especially now, with so many things uncertain, how could skydiving help overcome fears? Well, we know our ancestors not only survived in a myriad of hard times, but thrived and have given us great opportunities in our lifetime. And hence all the quotes about fear:

"Courage is knowing what not to fear." - Plato

"Fears are nothing but a state of mind." -Napoleon Hill

"Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will." - Anonymous

"Everything you want is on the other side of fear." - Jack Canfield

As we look into the next few weeks of reopening our doors, we welcome you to join this incredible sport that is uplifting and inspiring. We look forward to sharing this and our friendship with you.

Stay in touch with us as we reopen. Until next time, be safe and be well!