I had not woken up yesterday morning with the plan to ride rollercoasters all day.  It was a day to take our children to the amusement park, something we’d just put off until they had reached minimal height requirements for doing “good” rides. So at 10am- the park had barely opened and one child pulled me straight to Europe’s Biggest Wooden Coaster.  “you said I could do this!” I had. I had said they could — if they wanted to. But I had also thought that once we arrived – having never done roller coasters or thrill rides – they might have second thoughts when they saw it or work their way up to it throughout the day.

No such luck.  Also, no queue yet.   At 10.05am, they had pulled us to the front carriage of the roller coaster, despite my cautioning. And there I was by 10.08am, ominouosly click-clacking up the first hill, thinking:  when was the last time I did this?  Pre-pandemic, pre-babies … was it really 2011??? No, that can’t be right  …AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHGHGH

2 minutes and 45 seconds later, I breathlessly looked over at them as the carriage pulled back into the station. I was really worried:  Should I have stopped them?  Was I a bad mother? Were they now traumatised?

They were laughing.  “Let’s do it again!”  And when we looked at our photos from the ride:  there I am, simultaneously laughing and screaming. My child’s face:  a picture of pure shock — and delight.  So, we rode all the roller coasters yesterday, taking breaks to hang out with the family members who felt much safer in on the smaller side of the park or with feet firmly on the ground. On the way to school today, we chatted:  It’s okay that you enjoyed it, but lots of kids – and grown-ups! – may not.  It’s okay to tell everyone about your experience, but it’s never okay to tease anyone who didn’t do it.

So, are roller coasters good for you?  Here’s the surprising answer:  they actually can be, and who they benefit may really suprise you!

Here are 3 Health Reasons to ride a roller-coaster or go bungee jumping with willing and enthusiastic family members this summer:

1. They can actually be great for people with anxiety. Sound backwards?  There are different ways it can benefit:  from rush of adrenaline or focused source of short-term fear can actually help some people with anxiety. They may feel calmer and happier after a roller coaster.

2. Some people are born with a high sensation-seeking personality trait (see below to test yourself) Teens with this personality trait are more likey to misuse substance (including nicotine or alcohol) or engage in other dangerous activities – helping them learn that there are way to “take risks” can look after their short and long term health.

3. Great for feelings of social connection.

Who shouldn’t go on a roller coaster?  If you really don’t want to – not everyone has the sensation-seeking personality trait, and that is absolutely perfect!  Forcing people to ride is not helpful to anyone. Even if you do want to, you shouldn’t ride a roller coaster if you are pregnant, have back/neck problems, are unable to follow safety guidelines, have a body type that is not suited for the restraint device (being too small or above knee amputations are just 2 reasons that a lap bar or harness might not fit correctly).

Not sure you’re physically able but really want to?  Talk to your doctor.  Too often, patients don’t have these conversations with their doctor and often side life on the side lines unnecessarily.  However, a study in Yale looked a a few hundred patients with a certain type of heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy who went rollercoaster riding, jet skiing, rafting, bungee jumping, rappelling, paragliding, kayaking/canoeing, motor racing, snowboarding, BASE jumping or skydiving. And there were actually very few problems.  It doesn’t mean it’s right for you, but it does mean that we should be having good discussions and shared-decision making between doctors and patients. They next step after your doctor is often contacting the amusement park ahead of time. They often have a liaison who can help advise you on what rides may or may not by suitable for your limitations (based on restraint type, for example).

Goal-coaster is a thing!

Discussion from my real life practice?  Getting healthy enough to return to thrill-seeking activities comes up in my clinic more often then you might think!  It’s worth talking to your doctor. It’s not always realistic, but for some people it is. On any day, I’d much rather hear patient say they want to return to scuba diving than include some a number on a scale or a cosmetic goal when getting healthier. Also, I love the photos in follow-up clinics!