Published: February 19, 2021
The aspiration to capitalize on the life we've got-to take moments great and small and imbue them with meaning-resonates generationally. This pressing purpose is why you're just as likely to see a fresh-faced 18 year old outfitted in the heavy-duty hardware of a skydiving harness as you are to see the visage of a venerable elder peeking behind the clear-plastic of skydiving goggles. There is no specific answer for why people skydive. Although, there is a common theme amongst those who choose to make the leap: a desire to live life to the fullest.
The ambition to go freefalling out into the bright wondrous sky really centers around the fact that skydiving is more than just a thrill: it is a life-altering experience that everyone, and yes we mean everyone, should have the opportunity to experience.
So, why do people skydive?
To Experience Time In a New Way
One of our favorite reasons why you should go skydiving involves a metaphysical phenomenon. On a skydive, many people report that time has slowed. Though they are falling at 120mph, there seems to be an imperceptible stillness surrounding them-as if in these rushing moments, time doesn't exist at all. Yet, at the same time, once the parachute opens, the just under a minute freefall is described as a moment that passed by in the blink of an eye. Of course, the way time passes doesn't actually change. The time spent in freefall is a quantifiable amount. It is just your perception that makes a duality of the experience.
It is a healthy reminder that even though time is moving onward, often whether we like it or not, by being in the moment we can get the most out of every second.
Psychological Benefits
In recent years, there has been an important shift in focus from simply addressing ailments of the body to also treating ailments of the mind. One of the reasons why people skydive is to tap into the psychological benefits that the experience offers.
On a skydive, you're on top of the world physically and metaphorically. Ascending within the confines of an aircraft, clambering through the door into the unknown, seeing the world while peacefully suspended beneath the parachute, and finally landing amidst the cheers of family and friends--this is why people skydive: a skydive is a reminder of what you can accomplish if you're simply willing to try.
Aside from the strictly mental benefit, there is also the unequivocally physical benefit that the body experiences on a skydive. After a skydive, the body releases a flood of endorphins. One of the results is a feeling of euphoria, while feeling like you're on cloud nine, it is much easier to see the world in a more optimistic hue.
Continually visiting a place that shows the wonders the world has to offer does wonders for your outlook on the world.
The Community
Skydiving has one of the most incredible communities in the world. In part, the skydiving community is notable because it literally spans the world, and it is not uncommon for jumpers to have colleagues and friends scattered across the globe.
Skydiving is more than just a sport or a pastime. It is a community of like-minded people sharing a love of adventure, a desire for freedom, and a focus on supporting and uplifting each member within its fold.
Should I Go Skydiving?
Though there are common motives for skydiving, there is no one particular reason people skydive. Rather, the "reason" is often influenced by life experiences and, likewise, very personal. If you've found your way here, it is likely there is at least a part of you that wants to soar. So, should you go skydiving?
If you're ready to challenge yourself, reach greater heights, and take advantage of all the benefits skydiving offers, we think the answer is pretty clear. It is time to fly!
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