Would you try skydiving therapy? Feel the invigorating thrill of adventure this winter

Wellness isn’t all mindfulness and scented candles. According to a new self-care trend, we could all benefit from a higher-octane solution – including leaping from a plane.

KNOWN as ‘skydiving therapy’, some psychologists believe that frightening and challenging experiences hold the key to greater happiness and self-confidence.But skydiving isn’t the only way to reap the rewards.

According to psychologist Dr Eric Brymer, any activity that breaks someone out of their comfort zone is ‘psychologically freeing’, helping them to live in the moment while contributing towards personal growth.

Behavioural scientist Mike Rucker agrees: “The true value of adventure lies not just in the exhilaration of the moment but in the lasting impact it has on our journey towards a resilient self” he said.

An outdoor adventure holiday could be just the thing you need to shake off the winter blues (while burning off those extra Christmas calories). Here are just a few of the activities you could try.

Smash your personal record

When Hurricane Epsilon battered Mullaghmore with 60ft waves, few would have thought about getting in the sea. For one resident, however, this was his chance for sporting immortality.

Professional surfer Conor Maguire surfed Ireland’s largest recorded wave in October 2020 . While such surges don’t happen every day, the west coast of Ireland is famous for its winter surf. Peak conditions are between September and April when powerful – if unpredictable –Atlantic winds create the biggest waves .

Strandhill Beach is an absorbing challenge for both beginners and advanced students. It also offers panoramic views of Knocknarea, the mountain that –according to Irish folklore – contains the tomb of Queen Maeve, the Neolithic queen (and one-time goddess) of Connacht.

Tick off the bucket list

There’s nothing like experiencing a landscape on foot.Fortunately, when it comes to hiking options, we’re spoiled for choice.

There are 42 waymarked trails across the country.Fully signposted with amenities along the way, these long-distance trails transform city strollers into rugged mountain ramblers. The Wicklow Way showcases much of the Irish countryside’s best features: dramatic valleys and hillsides, punctuated by creeks and lakes. Stretching for 131km, don’t expect to finish it in under a week.

More experienced hikers can attempt to scale Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s tallest mountain at 3,407ft.Reaching the summit is a gruelling 21km trek that requires you to climb the ominously named Devil’s Ladder. But once you reach the top, uninterrupted views of the Killarney Lake – and the bragging rights – will be yours.

Escape the gym

Exercise bikes can be dull. To experience the true thrill of cycling, you need to get outdoors. Ireland has six official Greenways – traffic-free trails built upon disused railway lines – that provide an immersive challenge far greater than any gym’s infotainment system. The Great Western Greenway runs for 42km from Westport to Achill. Over three hours (provided you have the required stamina)you’ll traverse magnificent backdrops, including Clare Island and the pyramid-shaped mountain Croagh Patrick.

For more of an adrenaline rush, try mountain biking at Cork’s Ballyhoura Trail Centre. Set deep within 100km of forest, you’ll be hoping for rain – because the more slippery the slopes, the faster you’ll go.

Holiday home insurance you can rely on

Pushing yourself to face the unknown may enhance your wellbeing. But for your clients with holiday homes,they need as much certainty as possible that they’re protected.  DUAL provides comprehensive insurance for holiday homes in both Ireland and abroad, available when your client insures their main home through our Private Client policy.

Holiday homes often contain valuable items all year around, including sports equipment such as surfoards,bicycles, and motor vehicles. DUAL’s worldwide contents coverage has high single article limits, helping to keep these items fully protected.

During the winter, escape of water is always a threat,especially when no one is there to notice. Our home and contents insurance offers wide-ranging cover on water risks to buildings, contents, and valuables. If your client suffers water damage because of a leak, they will be covered up to the value of the building’s sum insured,including any investigations and repairs. We will also pay towards the installation of a water leak detection system for any water leak claim exceeding €10,000.

For quality household insurance, speak to DUAL.

For quallity household insurance, speak to DUAL Ireland.

Siobhan Mannion is Head of Underwriting Operations for DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC. DUAL specialise,amongst other areas, in high net worth personal insurance in Ireland and are backed by Aviva.

DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC (trading as DUAL Private Client) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.Registered No. 633531. Registered office: 98 St.Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 D02 V324.