The Psychology of Skydiving: Why We Jump

Why do people go skydiving? It’s a question that’s been asked since the first person jumped out of a hot air balloon a couple of hundred years ago! But the actual psychology of skydiving is one of the newer topics trending in our sport.

Learning about the psychological effects of skydiving is a fascinating field of study that digs into the way skydiving can rewire your brain. Let’s explore the ways that skydiving engages jumpers beyond the physical realm and talk about the long-term mental effects of jumping out of airplanes! 

Skydiving Is a Mental Game

Sure, skydiving is a highly physical undertaking – the speed, the sensations, the views – but when it comes down to it, the way you respond in the air and the lasting impact skydiving has is all in your head. Your ability to manage stress, stay focused in hyper-stimulating environments, and override the natural aversion to risk is what really makes for a successful skydive. 

A mix of mental fortitude and brain-influencing hormones is all it takes to not only make it through your first skydive but to enjoy it! So, what is the psychology behind skydiving? Believe it or not, skydiving is a relaxing activity that borders on therapeutic!

Forcing yourself to overcome anxiety to be completely present in the moment unlocks a freedom unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s a proverbial dropping of mental baggage that renews your hope, refreshes your outlook, and reminds you that anything is possible.

The Fear Factor: Understanding Pre-Jump Anxiety

Pre-jump anxiety is completely natural. It would be more concerning if you weren’t nervous before throwing yourself out of an airplane door. Accepting the inevitability of the stress is the first step to managing it. Heck, the stress can even add to the fun! 

Once you’ve embraced the pre-jump nerves, you can focus on overcoming them and enjoying your jump. Identify where the stress sits in your body and take some time to breathe deeply into that area. Meditate for a bit while you’re waiting for your turn to jump, or engage in mild physical activity to work out your jitters. 

And remember – this tension is an evolutionary tactic thousands of years old meant to help keep us alive, but it can be a ton of fun to push that boundary when you’re in control! 

The Mindset Shift Mid-Air

The good news about the pre-jump nerves is that they’re just that: pre-jump. Everything changes the moment you exit the door. A lot of people explain this phenomenon with the mindset of: once you’re out, you can’t get back in, so you might as well enjoy it!

Your brain naturally recognizes this and shifts focus to being completely present in the moment. The anxiety melts away, and adrenaline takes over. The hormone pumps through your blood, increasing your heart rate, speeding up your processing abilities, and bringing the world into hyper-focus. 

All that matters is the world around you in that exact moment – not the laundry, not work deadlines, not even the stress you felt five seconds before.

Training the Brain: How Skydivers Stay Calm

The ability to be cool, calm, and collected while flying through the sky at 120 mph comes down to staying in the present. Just like going to the gym or learning to play the guitar, mastering the mindset of skydiving takes discipline and practice. The more a skydiver gets in the air, the more natural the environment will feel to their brain and body. 

Even professional skydivers were nervous during their first time! And … don’t tell anyone… but sometimes they still are! The key is putting yourself in high-stress situations, like skydiving, repeatedly until your brain acclimates to the pressure. The more familiar skydiving feels, the more easily you naturally respond to the environment. 

Why Do People Choose to Go Skydiving?

So, what does skydiving say about a person? That we’re off our rockers?? Not at all! Skydiving is an incredibly enriching activity that can rewire your brain and change your life. 

What does skydiving teach you? Stepping outside of your comfort zone opens your eyes to ways of existing that will help you in all areas of life, from relationships and work to individual goal setting. Knowing that you can overcome your fears and grow from it will give you the confidence to try anything. You’ll also get real-world experience in managing extreme stress and feeling what it’s like to have all your senses focused on one experience.

The world will seem brighter, and your goals will feel more accessible. Is skydiving spiritual? It sure can be. And it might be the most empowering experience you’ll ever have! 
Ready to change your life? Your journey starts with one skydive – book your jump today!