Phil Jones, a former Royal Marines Commando, has transitioned from serving his country to establishing a health and wellbeing business aimed at assisting others. However, in the process of helping those around him, Jones realised that he too required support, facing the enduring effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from his military service.

At the age of 19, Jones embarked on a decade-long career in the Royal Marines, where he served alongside his brother Gareth and participated in multiple operational tours, including deployments in Afghanistan. He decided to leave the armed forces in 2013, returning to Swansea to start So Fit Group Limited, a company focused on optimising corporate wellness and high performance. Speaking about his military service, Jones noted, “I had a very fulfilling career, with some exciting and adrenaline-filled experiences, but obviously, there was also some challenging and difficult situations.”

However, ten years after his departure from the Marines, Jones began experiencing debilitating symptoms associated with PTSD. He shared his insight: “I was supposed to be helping people, and it was myself that needed support.” His diagnosis in 2023 came after recognising how triggers from everyday situations, such as the sounds made by his children, intensified his distress. “My little one was going through toilet training… that bang would trigger me,” Jones recounted.

Despite the common occurrence of PTSD, with estimates suggesting that one in ten people in the UK may experience it during their lifetime, research into the condition remains limited. The moment Jones realised he needed help occurred while giving a talk on wellbeing, where he was overwhelmed by anxiety after a prior speaker shared a personal story related to PTSD.

In response to his struggles, Jones sought therapeutic intervention and, in an attempt to maintain his engagement with treatment, he turned to cold water immersion. This innovative method has led him to collaborate on a groundbreaking study at Swansea University, which is exploring the potential effects of cold water immersion therapy on managing PTSD symptoms. The study includes 16 participants from the Veterans RV Swansea Community group, who partake in cold-water swimming sessions at Caswell Bay.

Lead researcher Dr Denise Hill, an associate professor of applied sport psychology at Swansea University, commented on the significance of the study, stating, “This study represents an important first step in understanding whether CWI can serve as a complementary therapy for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.” The research aims to fill a gap in existing studies, as no prior scientific investigation has specifically evaluated the relationship between cold water immersion and PTSD symptoms.

As part of the study, participants provide saliva samples to measure cortisol levels, an indicator of stress, and complete questionnaires to assess their wellbeing and PTSD symptoms after each cold water immersion session. Initial findings indicate promising results, suggesting that cold water immersion may positively affect various aspects of PTSD experienced by the veterans involved.

Reflecting on his personal experience with cold water immersion, Jones shared how he found the practice calming amidst the chaos exacerbated by the pandemic. He noted, “It was really helping to support my day-to-day wellbeing during the start of my symptoms.” He emphasised the potential for cold water immersion to aid in coping with stress, augment resilience, and promote a sense of calm.

Jones is actively involved in utilising his company to facilitate workshops aimed at enhancing mental health and productivity in the workplace, believing in the benefits of cold water immersion for broader wellbeing. Early data from the study suggests that participants experience improvements in mood and reductions in PTSD symptoms, reinforcing the necessity for more research in this area.

Jones expressed his hope that the study would contribute to the development of effective, accessible treatment options for veterans and others affected by mental health disorders, stating, “I’m proud to be involved in this research, but it is the first step of many to be where we want to be.”

Source: Noah Wire Services