On behalf of OutDoor by ISPO, Marcel Beaufils from rheingold institut has investigated the benefits and influence of outdoor sports on the human psyche using depth psychological interviews and analyses. Why outdoor sports in general and skiing in particular, especially in times of Corona, is good for the psyche, he tells in the SnowTrex interview.
The interview appeared on SNOWTREX on October 7, 2020.
Mr. Beaufils, first of all in general and independently of Corona: What do outdoor sports give people?
In our study, which was conducted even before Corona, we found that outdoor sports are primarily a kind of process for people to go through psychologically. Basically, you could also say: They go on a little hero's journey. And this is exactly what does people good: First, we get out of our stressful, over-cultivated everyday lives, i.e. away from the challenges of everyday life - just as the term "outdoor" suggests. We are confronted with new, completely different demands than those of everyday life - in other words, with the new, the unknown, the exciting. This is the first step of our hero's journey. Then we go through this unknown, as it were, and realize that here we can master new things, overcome obstacles, learn to value simple things, and show perseverance - all of which gives us a sense of strength and development at the end. "I have accomplished something!" In a way, this already shows the healing character of outdoor sports: you are recharged and can face everyday life strengthened.
Appreciating the simple things again - what do you mean by that?
This is the so simple and yet so delicious tomato soup after a long hike, the hot shower or hot cocoa after skiing, etc.. You've been out in nature, arrive happy but totally exhausted, and enjoy the little things in life that suddenly strike you as a totally sensual experience. Taking a hot shower after having previously sat in a well-tempered living room is only half as nice - it's just an "everyday shower experience". The original feeling for food, warmth etc. comes to light especially when we were in nature!
You gained these insights BEFORE the outbreak of the Corona pandemic. How does the pandemic, and especially the lockdown that occurred in the meantime, influence people's attitudes toward outdoor sports - especially people who had not previously participated in outdoor sports?
We didn't do another outdoor study after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, but we have done thousands of Corona studies for various other customers, which of course always included the "new everyday life" of the people. The topic of the outdoors really ALWAYS came up. Going out, walking, cycling, etc. was on the agenda for many, many people. Even the most unathletic people realized that it is good to get out and about and how beneficial the outdoors can be. In this respect, the Corona pandemic has greatly increased the importance of the outdoors. Because people also noticed that the outdoors can be "around the corner," that you can let off steam around the corner, and that this gives you so much, especially at a time when you are somewhat confined. In addition, at least childless people also had much fewer obligations at the time of the lockdown. So outdoor also gave you a certain regaining of control: "I can create and shape my world despite Corona and Lockdown. I get myself out of the powerlessness experience and create my world." Broken down strongly, the longing for regaining control and shaping one's own world is also shown by people's excessive toilet paper purchases - this also gave many security and control in a certain way.
Safety, control - and also security?
Absolutely. Nature can actually give you a sense of security, it forms a framework for me as a small person. In my webinars I often talk about "outdoor is the new church", which means that outdoor can provide healing, protection and security, which ultimately leads to a feeling of security.
These findings broken down to skiing: In your recent webinar you also said that above all "skiing heals". What do you mean by that?
Skiing is a part of the outdoor world and thus a kind of culmination of the outdoor moment. It is much more outdoor than, for example, going for a walk in the park. That is, everything that outdoor entails and that I mentioned above - orientation, safety, strength, etc. - is completely present in skiing: more nature, more challenge, more escape from everyday life. Not to be forgotten in this outdoor sport is the magic of snow. Snow can be perceived as a magical element that wraps everything in a soft shell, gives tranquility, makes things seem untouched and virginal, makes the world a little quieter and cushions the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There is a pleasant calming, the background noise of everyday life is taken away by the snow, stress fizzles out and you relax. These sensations are potentiated when you then glide over the snow and feel no more resistance.
Besides the snow, surely it is the mountains that have such a positive effect?
Of course. The mighty mountains like the Alps make above all the humility experience quite strong: You are up there on the mountain and are simply overwhelmed by the endless expanse. You realize that you are very small and you face the challenge of "mastering" the mountains - for example, by skiing them.
In conclusion, would you go so far as to say that outdoor sports in general and, for example, skiing in particular can help people come out of the current Corona crisis stronger?
I do believe that skiing gives people a lot through the intensified outdoor experience: the feeling of security, the feeling of sensuality again - the Corona everyday life is very dampened right now - the feeling that you can move freely and above all that you can develop! Every day the skiing gets a little bit better, such a development - in whatever area - is difficult to live out during Corona. But development is so important: without development, psychologically speaking, there is always suffering. Conversely, development, as skiing can give you, is joy.
The interview was conducted by Carla Meyer.
