MegAnn McGinnis DO, MPH: 2025 SMA Mag Bay Scholarship Winner!

Congratulations Dr MegAnn McGinnis for winning the student/resident scholarship to attend 2025 SMA Mag Bay conference! Here is a little about MegAnn and her winning entry titled “The Call of the Ocean: Exploring the Mental Health Benefits of Ocean Exposure”.

Aloha! My name is MegAnn McGinnis, and I am a first-year psychiatry resident at San Mateo
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. I was drawn to psychiatry because it allows me to
explore each patient’s unique story and approach mental health through a biopsychosocial lens.
I attended A.T. Still University, an osteopathic medical school dedicated to primary care and
whole-person health, emphasizing a holistic approach to treatment. During medical school, I
spent two and a half years serving and learning at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health
Center on the West Coast of Oahu.
The ocean has always called to me, but it was during medical school that I truly immersed
myself in its rhythm, discovering firsthand the healing and rejuvenating power of the sea. While I
am a novice surfer, I am an avid swimmer, snorkeler, and stand-up paddleboarder, eager to
grow my surfing skills.
I am beyond excited to join the Surfing Medical Association, as I am deeply passionate about
preventive health and innovative models of healthcare delivery!

No bad days out here!

The Call of the Ocean: Exploring the Mental Health Benefits of Ocean Exposure
MegAnn McGinnis DO, MPH

The ocean resonates with an ancient rhythm, a soothing melody that calms the mind and spirit.
Whether it is the rejuvenation of an ocean dive, the warmth of sunbaked sand, or the salty breeze
that clings to our skin, the ocean possesses a magic that effortlessly soothes us. It is felt
instinctively, even when words fall short of capturing its essence. Now, scientists are beginning
to explore and explain the many ways the ocean heals and restores us.
In our current world, the hustle and bustle of modernity leave us burdened with tension and
stress. Recent statistics illuminate the concerning state of our collective mental health. In 2022,
more than three-quarters of American adults reported experiencing symptoms of stress [1].
Seven in ten reported suffering additional health impacts due to stress, including constant worry,
changes in sleep and feeling overwhelmed [1]. Collectively as a society, we are in desperate
need of a panacea.
Amid these mental health concerns, emerging research points to the ocean as a natural antidote.
Studies have demonstrated that exposure to the sea not only reduces stress but also improves
overall mental health. For example, Triguero-Mas et al. (2017) found individuals exposed to
coastal settings experienced favorable changes in heart rate variability and significantly lower
total mood disturbance compared to those in urban areas [2]. Similarly, Beneton et al. (2017)
reported that individuals who engaged in ocean activities, such as recreational scuba diving,
experienced meaningful reductions in perceived stress [3]. These findings are consistent with
other studies indicating the calming influence of the sea alleviating tension and anger, even
among individuals with significant health challenges such as cancer [4].
Beyond reducing stress, ocean exposure appears to offer relief from anxiety and depression.
These debilitating conditions affect a large portion of the population. In 2021, 14.5 million U.S.
adults experienced at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment [5]. In 2023,
nearly half (43%) of American adults reported higher levels of anxiety than the previous year [6].
Emerging research suggests that engaging in ocean-based activities, such as surfing, may be a
promising approach to alleviating these widespread mental health challenges. Surfing has been
linked to decreased depression and anxiety, along with increased positive affect, among US
service members [7]. While an 8-week surf therapy program showed improvements in resilience,
depressive symptoms, and self-esteem for Australian youth [8]. Moreover, a study examined the
effects of surfing in veterans and found clinically meaningful improvements in PTSD and
depressive symptoms [9].
The waves of the ocean can wash away our stress and worries, while also alleviating feelings of
isolation and fostering a deeper sense of connection [10]. This is increasingly impactful in
today’s context, where approximately 30% of adults in 2024 reported feeling lonely at least once
a week over the past year [11]. The ocean not only provides a physical respite, but also nurtures a
deeper sense of connection with nature and with ourselves.
The growing body of research implores us to heed the ocean’s call: retreat to the shoreline, seek
solace in its vastness, and allow its therapeutic landscape to nourish our minds and souls. In an
era of unparalleled mental health challenges, the ocean offers a natural remedy on our journey
towards health and well-being.