Here at Unreliable Coaster News UK we care about mental health a lot and we know that Theme Parks can be visited to escape real life, just like Concerts, The pub, cinemas, the gym or wherever you like to go to unwind.
I, like many adults have experienced depression and anxiety over the last two decades and always looked for ways to ease it. Around 10 years ago i decided to go on adventures in the search for true happiness, although back then I wasn’t into coasters or Theme Parks. In fact, the only rollercoaster I’d been on at that point was a Zamperla Dragon coaster at Butlins Minehead when I was about 10. My drug of choice was music festivals and lots of beer. I used to round up mates and have a laugh at Reading Festival every year, seeing acts like Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Prodigy, Eminem, Biffy Clyro and Green Day.
After a few years my friends started to settle down and have kids so I was kinda left on my own. In 2014 I met my future wife and we even did a couple of festivals together. These were an escape from work, home, bills and pretty much any stress. I’ve been to at least 1 outdoor gig every year since 2009 and this was a huge way to let out steam. The problem was it was over so quickly.
Theme Parks came into the equation much later than most enthusiasts. It was just over a year ago I found Sir Shawn Sandbrooke on YouTube and from that moment I was hooked. How the hell did I go 29 years being scared and ignorant to such amazing places?
When I finally got to a park last year it was magical. Coasters still intimidated me but it gave me a sense of accomplishment, being able to plough through the anxiety and just face my fear. These parks really are places you can relax, let off steam, forget your troubles and just have fun.
Its always great having an outlet for channeling negative thoughts/feelings and I know many of you feel the same.
LB X
Unreliable Coaster Blog UK 