The library
Every paper the standard rests on.
Each entry was read, scored for relevance to Mindful Diving and placed in a theme. Core papers carry the framework; supporting papers extend it; context papers surround it; cited papers appear in the review. Nothing here is summarised out of its own words.
Start here
Five papers that carry most of the weight. Read these and you know the field.
Beneton 2017
The first structured trial of diving for stress.
Recreational Diving Practice for Stress Management: An Exploratory Trial
Read the paper →Open accessGibert 2022
Meditative diving beats matched sport for PTSD.
Comparing meditative scuba diving versus multisport activities to improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot, randomized controlled clinical trial
Read the paper →Open accessAnnen 2021
The freediver brain in apnea.
Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea
Read the paper →Open accessWalker 2021
Why veterans heal underwater.
"It didn't bring back the old me but helped me on the path to the new me": exploring posttraumatic growth in British veterans with PTSD
Lucrezi 2022
From diving to stewardship.
Assessing experiences in diving recreation and their relation to proenvironmental behaviour and attitude: a study of divers in South African kelp forests
Read the paper →Open access
77 papers
- FoundationsCoreOpen access
Hypnosis as a Mechanism of Emotion Regulation and Self-Integration (Fundamental Peace)
L.M. Gallardo, S. Chetri · Behavioral Sciences · 2026
Institute publication: the mechanistic model of Fundamental Peace via large-scale brain-network reorganisation.
- Therapeutic divingCore
Freediving as a Mindfulness Practice for Trauma Resilience
L Santoro et al. · 2025
- Therapeutic divingCoreReview ref. [1]
A combined diving and mindfulness program as a catalyst for behavioural change in adults with obesity: a qualitative study
Karolina Griffiths et al. · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being · 2025
The combined diving and mindfulness program is a synergistic, innovative approach with multidimensional benefits for adults with obesity, integrable into comprehensive management of chronic conditions to promote lifestyle changes.
- Breath & physiologyCoreReview ref. [9]
Exploring Beginner Free diver's Experience of Benefit Recreational Freediving Activity
Muhamad Nanang Solikhin et al. · Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación · 2024
Explores the experience of Indonesian beginner freedivers practicing programmed recreational freediving, who obtain mental and physical health benefits from relaxation and other physical aspects.
- Therapeutic divingCoreOpen accessReview ref. [2]
Comparing meditative scuba diving versus multisport activities to improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot, randomized controlled clinical trial
Lionel Gibert et al. · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · 2022
Background: PTSD is a chronic and disabling disease that currently has no fully effective therapeutic solution. Complementary approaches, such as relaxation, sport, or meditation, could be therapeutic aids. Scuba diving combines sport and mindfulness; this pilot RCT compares meditative scuba diving with multisport activity.
- Breath & physiologyCoreOpen accessReview ref. [35]
Recreational Diving Practice for Stress Management: An Exploratory Trial
Frederic Beneton et al. · Frontiers in Psychology · 2017
Background: Within the components of Scuba diving there are similarities with meditation and mindfulness techniques by training divers to be in a state of open monitoring associated with slow and ample breathing. Perceived stress is known to be diminished during meditation practice.
- Therapeutic divingCore
Scuba diving as an occupation in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in female American veterans
K Hernandez et al.
- Therapeutic divingCore
Efficacy of a combined diving and mindfulness program on emotional eating in adults with obesity: Randomised controlled trial with standard care
K Griffiths et al.
- Diving & wellbeingCore
Beneath the Surface: SCUBA diving for Officer Wellness
JT Manuel
- Breath & physiologyCore
Exploring Beginner Free diver's Experience of Benefit Recreational Freediving (ES record)
MN Solikhin et al.
- Breath & physiologyCore
FREEDIVING AS A METHOD OF COGNITION OF BEING
Irina Sergeevna Pervukhina et al. · 2025
- Breath & physiologyCoreOpen accessReview ref. [23]
Mapping the functional brain state of a world champion freediver in static dry apnea
Jitka Annen et al. · Brain Structure & Function · 2021
Evaluated psychological and physiological adaptation and functional cerebral changes using EEG and fMRI during 65 minutes of dry static apnea in a world champion freediver; alpha-band changes suggest sensory dissociation abilities.
- Safety & mindCoreReview ref. [24]
Anxiety and panic in recreational scuba divers
William P. Morgan · Sports Medicine · 1995
Scuba diving is a high-risk sport; there has been a tendency within the diving community to de-emphasise the risks. Reviews anxiety and panic responses in recreational divers and their safety implications.
- Breath & physiologyCore
Staying with the Underwater Trouble: Exploring the Hydrocommons through Freediving
B Maggipinto et al.
- Diving & wellbeingCore
Diving into the Depths of Consciousness and the Ocean
EP Gruszynski
- Breath & physiologyCore
A phenomenological investigation into the experience of deep breath-hold diving
Bilguun Choimaa et al. · Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning · 2025
- Breath & physiologyCore
Freediving neurophenomenology and skilled action: an investigation of brain, body, and behavior through breath
Suraiya Luecke · Phenomenology and The Cognitive Sciences · 2022
- Breath & physiologyCoreOpen access
The psychology of freediving: psychological strategies used by elite freedivers
Susana Maria de Sousa Lourenço · 2018
- FoundationsCoreOpen access
Sensing the living body: Three degrees of conscious awareness
Terezinha Petrucia da Nóbrega et al. · Staps · 2017
Presents emersiology: activating the living body through mind-body practices to identify degrees of conscious awareness from the living unconscious to the consciousness of lived experience.
- FoundationsCoreReview ref. [30]
Sentir le vivant de son corps : trois degrés d'éveil de la conscience
Terezinha Petrucia da Nóbrega et al. · Staps · 2017
Version française de l'article d'émersiologie: repérer les degrés d'éveil de la conscience par la pratique corporelle.
- Diving & wellbeingCore
Touched by water: The body in scuba diving
Elizabeth R. Straughan · Emotion, Space and Society · 2012
- Mindfulness in the waterCore
Mindful Goals: A Correlational Study of Goals, Mindfulness, and Flow in Scuba
AC Varas
- Diving & wellbeingCore
Spiritual Experiences and Environmentalism of Recreational Users in the Marine Environment: New Zealand Surfers and Scuba Divers
C Moore
- Therapeutic divingSupportingReview ref. [15]
Adaptive diving in South Africa: A perspective of disabled people and their support structure
Tawanda Makuyana et al. · Tourism in Marine Environments · 2025
Adaptive diving promotes psychophysical well-being, social cohesion and inclusion, with participants experiencing flow states; relevance for tourism development and disability inclusion.
- Mindfulness in the waterSupportingReview ref. [11]
'I feel like a mermaid and the sea is my home': A qualitative exploration of wild swimming, meaning and well-being in Victoria, Australia
Emily Barber et al. · People and Nature · 2025
Blue space encourages mindful, immersive and connected ways of being; wild swimming promoted positive mood states, energised, calm, meditative, focused, authentic and masterful feelings; social-prescription potential.
- Blue spaceSupportingReview ref. [12]
Devenir Océan, se soigner en s'accordant au cosmos
Anne-Sophie Sayeux · Éduquer · 2025
Anthropologie de la résonance entre corps et nature par l'immersion océanique; l'océan comme milieu sensoriel et affectif agissant sur mémoire, souffle et perception de soi.
- Therapeutic divingSupportingReview ref. [13]
A Warm Water Immersion Intervention for Symptoms of PTSD in Military Veterans: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Rebecca D. Benfield et al. · Canadian Journal of Nursing Research · 2025
Warm water immersion as fast-acting, non-stigmatizing adjunct therapy for student Veterans; themes include the rhythm of relaxed, the pain floats away, acclimatize to calmness, a place to set your mind.
- Mindfulness in the waterSupportingReview ref. [14]
Les effets de la sophrologie renforcés par les bienfaits de l'eau
Véronique-Sophie Gouet-Riot · HEGEL · 2025
La méthode Aguasofro® combine sophrologie Caycédienne et immersion aquatique; l'apesanteur, la flottaison et l'effet enveloppant amplifient relaxation, perception corporelle et gestion émotionnelle.
- Blue spaceSupportingOpen accessReview ref. [28]
Meeting, Moving, Mastering — A Text Analysis of the Aesthetic Attractions of 'Wild Swimming'
Dagmar Dahl et al. · International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education · 2023
Analyzes aesthetic experiences of wild swimming across five authors: weightlessness, rhythmic strokes and breathing create unselfconscious bliss; the watery environment as a feast for the senses.
- Therapeutic divingSupportingOpen accessReview ref. [3]
The physical and mental health benefits of lifestyle sports for disabled people: a scoping review
Lewis Youngson et al. · International Journal of Disabilities Sports & Health Sciences · 2023
Growing evidence for physical and mental health benefits of lifestyle sports in disabled people; participation gaps and sporadic evidence base identified.
- Blue spaceSupportingReview ref. [10]
Blue mind life: cómo el color azul influye directamente en nuestro cerebro y en nuestro inconsciente
Florencia Zampieri · Brazilian Journal of Development · 2023
Estudio teórico y práctico del color azul y su influencia en el cerebro y el inconsciente; el estado «Blue Mind» como estado meditativo de calma, paz, unidad y satisfacción inspirado por el agua.
- Ocean connectionSupportingOpen accessReview ref. [25]
Assessing experiences in diving recreation and their relation to proenvironmental behaviour and attitude: a study of divers in South African kelp forests
Serena Lucrezi et al. · Tourism in Marine Environments · 2022
Study of 100 divers in South African kelp forests: wellbeing, challenge, escapism, flow and socialization motivations; benefits translate into pro-environmental behaviour, attitude and ocean stewardship.
- FoundationsSupportingOpen access
El buceo como posible terapia complementaria de salud mental
A. Bellvert Ríos et al. · Medicina General y de Familia · 2022
- Safety & mindSupportingOpen accessReview ref. [40]
Freshwater Wild Swimming, Health and Well-Being: Understanding the Importance of Place and Risk
Craig W. McDougall et al. · Sustainability · 2022
Wild swimming can be particularly beneficial for physical and mental health; examines the importance of place and risk in freshwater swimming contexts.
- Therapeutic divingSupportingReview ref. [22]
"It didn't bring back the old me but helped me on the path to the new me": exploring posttraumatic growth in British veterans with PTSD
Petra Ann Walker et al. · Disability and Rehabilitation · 2021
Explores scuba diving therapy in growth experiences of ex-servicemen; four themes: human connection, meaningful leisure, embodiment, and the calm; symptom relief carved space for posttraumatic growth.
- Therapeutic divingSupportingOpen accessReview ref. [21]
Reducing Veterans' Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Posttraumatic Stress, and Enhancing Engagement in Occupations with SCUBA Diving and Occupational Therapy
Dragana Krpalek et al. · Journal of Veterans Studies · 2020
Two-group random assignment study: occupational therapy combined with SCUBA diving enhanced occupational performance and mental health outcomes for veterans more than SCUBA alone; significant anxiety reductions.
- Diving & wellbeingContext
The test of Performance Strategy for Kids Scuba diving
Khaled M. Abdelkarem · International Scientific Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences · 2019
- Breath & physiologyContextOpen access
Under water and into yourself: Emotional experiences of freediving
Sara Malou Strandvad · Emotion, Space and Society · 2018
- Breath & physiologyContextOpen accessReview ref. [37]
Gesture, landscape and embrace: a phenomenological analysis of elemental motions
Stephen J. Smith · The Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology · 2006
- Breath & physiologyContext
Benefit of breathholding training on the concept of recreational freediving in healthy adults – a systematic literature review
B Arbanto
- Breath & physiologyContextReview ref. [5]
Benefit of breath-holding training on the concept of recreational freediving in healthy adults – a systematic literature review
Muhamad Nanang Solikhin et al. · 2024
- Blue spaceContext
Blurring the lines – a novice approach to riding on water
Yosuke Washiya · The Ethnographic Edge · 2023
- Breath & physiologyContextOpen access
How long can you hold your breath
Felicia LeRoy · 2017
- Ocean connectionContextOpen accessReview ref. [33]
Literary Representations of The Great Barrier Reef
Stephen Torre · eTropic · 2016
- Blue spaceContext
Somatic ocean dives: Fluid and resilient corporealities in Merger as Research
C Fernandes
- FoundationsContext
Submerged methodologies: underwater ethnography contributing to hydrofeminist justice
J Koopman
- Ocean connectionCited
Ecological-collective-flourishing (e-co-flourishing)
S. Maloney et al. · The Lancet Planetary Health · 2026
Source concept for the paper's ethical horizon.
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [31]
How open water swimming contributes to improved mental health: a scoping review
C. T. Woods, D. Muldrew · Mental Health Practice · 2026
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [39]
Enhancing attention restoration in adults through immersive experiences in aquatic landscapes
A. Stocco, F. Pranovi · 2025
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [6]
Blue Prescriptions for Human Wellbeing
F. Thomson-Alberts, N. Bridge et al. · 2025
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - Therapeutic divingCited
The Positive Effects of Water Immersion for Symptoms of PTSD in Veterans: A Mixed Methods Study
A.T. Reyes et al. · International Journal of Clinical Practice · 2025
Read the paper →Pillar 6 — Evidence & Impact - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [16]
Navigating grief: an autoethnographic tale of open water swimming and loss
E. Boocock et al. · Leisure Studies · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [20]
Theorising therapeutic accretion
R. J. Foley et al. · Irish Geography · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [26]
La sensation de relaxation au cours des activités subaquatiques : un moyen pour atténuer le mécanisme du stress au travail ?
F. Lecaër, O. Roques · Management & Avenir Santé · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [38]
A qualitative exploration of the contribution of blue space to well-being in the lives of people with severe mental illness
K. Wright et al. · People and Nature · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [41]
Mechanisms underlying childhood exposure to blue spaces and adult subjective well-being: An 18-country analysis
V. Vitale et al. · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [7]
"It's the experience, it's not exercise": Blue Therapy for health and mental well-being among adults in the UK
N. Miller, E. Gabitova et al. · 2024
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [4]
Contact with marine blue spaces for human health and well-being
S. Pouso et al. · 2023
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [34]
Influence of CrossFit and Deep End Fitness training on mental health and coping in athletes
R. Cansler et al. · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · 2023
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - Safety & mindCitedOpen access
Self-reported benefits and risks of open water swimming
D.M. Oliver et al. · PLOS ONE · 2023
Read the paper →Pillar 1 — Safety & Excellence - Blue spaceCited
Swimming in nature: A scoping review of the mental health and wellbeing benefits of open water swimming
K. Overbury et al. · Journal of Environmental Psychology · 2023
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - FrameworkCitedOpen accessReview ref. [36]
Contextual Factors and Programme Theories Associated with Implementing Blue Prescription Programmes: A Systematic Realist Review
J. C. Alejandre et al. · Health & Social Care in the Community · 2023
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FoundationsCitedOpen access
What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review
R. Nejade et al. · Journal of Global Health · 2022
Read the paper →Pillar 6 — Evidence & Impact - FrameworkCitedOpen accessReview ref. [17]
Sea swimming and snorkeling in tropical coastal blue spaces and mental well-being: Findings from Indonesian island communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
C. Maharja et al. · Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism · 2022
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - FrameworkCitedOpen accessReview ref. [32]
The meaning of open-water swimming for adults in Ireland: a qualitative study
E. Murray, J. Fox · 2021
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - Blue spaceCitedOpen access
Understanding the contexts and mechanisms of bluespace prescription programmes (realist review, preprint)
J.C. Alejandre et al. · medRxiv · 2021
Preprint of the realist review of blue prescription programmes (published version already in library).
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - FrameworkCitedOpen accessReview ref. [18]
Mechanisms of Impact of Blue Spaces on Human Health: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
M. Georgiou et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2021
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - Blue spaceCitedOpen access
Associations between green/blue spaces and mental health across 18 countries
M.P. White et al. · Scientific Reports · 2021
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - Blue spaceCited
The Blue Mind (chapter)
K. Conrad et al. · Springer · 2021
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - FrameworkCitedOpen accessReview ref. [27]
The Beneficial Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Scuba Diving on Human Mental Health
A. Carreño et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2020
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership - Blue spaceCited
The wellbeing benefits of sea swimming: Is it time to revisit the sea cure?
H. Denton, K. Aranda · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · 2020
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - Blue spaceCitedOpen access
Blue care: a systematic review of blue space interventions for health and wellbeing
E. Britton et al. · Health Promotion International · 2020
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - Blue spaceCitedOpen access
Blue therapeutic spaces on islands: coastal landscapes and their impact on health and wellbeing in Malta
B. Satariano · Island Studies Journal · 2019
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - Therapeutic divingCited
Can scuba diving offer therapeutic benefit to military veterans?
A. Morgan et al. · Disability and Rehabilitation · 2019
Read the paper →Pillar 6 — Evidence & Impact - Ocean connectionCited
The "Blue Gym": What can blue space do for you and what can you do for blue space?
M.P. White et al. · Journal of the Marine Biological Association UK · 2016
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - Blue spaceCited
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier
W.J. Nichols · Little, Brown Spark (book) · 2014
Foundational popular-science synthesis of water and wellbeing (no DOI; the DOI in the manuscript is erroneous and omitted here).
Read the paper →Pillar 4 — Ocean Connection - FrameworkCitedReview ref. [19]
The Potential Benefits of Water Sports for Health and Well-Being in Marine Protected Areas: a Case Study in the Mediterranean
J. Lloret et al.
Read the paper →Pillar 7 — Happiness Leadership
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