CrossFit and Mental Health
If there was a pill that could help prevent or delay mental and metabolic disorders while also increasing our energy and quality of life throughout our lifespan, we would pay any amount of money to get our hands on it.
What if I told you, this antidote does exist? ….and it’s NOT a pill.
Recent and ongoing research continues to demonstrate that mental health disorders such as major depression (clinical depression), bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder stand among the leading causes of disability in the United States and worldwide. Roughly 26% of Americans aged 18 and older experience a diagnosable mental disorder on any given year. This means that 1 in 4 Americans are struggling with mental health disorders related to depression or anxiety (Mental Health Disorder Statistics, 2023). Not to mention, depressive illnesses commonly coincide with substance abuse and anxiety disorders.
What’s even more daunting is the fact that this number continues to grow year after year.
Take a look around your group of friends. If there are 8 of you in a room, chances are, at least 2 of you are struggling with a mental health disorder related to depression or anxiety.
We have all heard the phrase “movement is medicine” before. It’s a popular phrase used constantly in the health and fitness community. Although this feel-good quote may give us the initial motivation needed to hit the gym or go for a walk, a growing body of evidence suggests there’s reason to believe that movement truly is medicine and should be prioritized if we want to live healthy, happy lives.
Although it is commonly known that maintaining an active lifestyle promotes cardiovascular health and overall well-being, increasing evidence suggests that lifestyle behaviors such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients also promote psychological health and well-being. This means that going to the gym not only helps us physically but increases our mental fitness and wellness too!
The developing data have sparked a suggestion for a new specialized field in mental health called “lifestyle psychiatry”. Lifestyle psychiatry advocates for the incorporation of exercise as an additional treatment for individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety related disorders.
Lifestyle medicine, a developing field, uses lifestyle-based therapeutic interventions primarily to tackle chronic, noncommunicable diseases. Its focus is on promoting healthy behaviors and psychological aspects that enhance well-being while also lowering risk of mental health disorders or chronic metabolic disease.
Negative habits such as unhealthy eating, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, substance misuse, and smoking play a substantial role in chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Psychological factors associated with these illnesses include depression, anxiety, social seclusion, diverse forms of ongoing stress, pessimism, and profound exhaustion (Blumenthal & Rozanski, 2023).
According to research by Blumenthal and Rozanski (2023), over the last twenty years, gathered evidence suggests that individuals who are physically active or regularly exercise are less prone to experiencing depression both at the initial assessment and less likely to develop depression when observed over time.
Participants in this study who accumulated at least 75 minutes of aerobic exercise on a weekly basis saw an 18% reduction in risk of developing depression and anxiety related disorders, while those who accumulated at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity saw a 25% risk reduction
(Blumenthal & Rozanski, 2023).
The science of lifestyle psychiatry is in its infancy, but the results speak for themselves! Resistance training, combined with aerobic activity and a healthy, nutrient dense diet are key features to managing and reducing our risk to developing depression and anxiety.
At CrossFit Rincon, we provide a welcoming atmosphere for you to enjoy the journey to better health. CrossFit Rincon helps our members navigate the difficult waters of exercise and nutrition.
We empower you to take control of your mental and physical well-being.
CrossFit as a fitness program presents an elegant solution to the ever-growing problem of chronic metabolic disease and helps to minimize the risk of developing depression and anxiety related mental health disorders. By cultivating a fun, engaging atmosphere for people to enjoy exercise, CrossFit gyms around the world have cracked the code to true vitality. Your daily WOD not only helps you maintain strength and physical fitness throughout your life, but now, science demonstrates clear evidence that routine exercise can drastically improve our mental health.
The conclusion is that the benefits of exercise are therapeutic in ways that can drastically improve our overall well-being. Not only do we reduce body fat and gain muscle, but we also improve our sleep, mood, energy, and reduce stress. We take control of our life. We are much less likely to succumb to modern diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes type 2. We maintain functionality and the ability to enjoy hikes and family outings without physical limitation. We belong to a community which helps us feel accountable for our actions. All of these factors play a role in improving our mental health and wellness. Bottom line, the most important thing you can do for your health is to exercise regularly.
CrossFit gyms add the x-factor to this mix: a community of likeminded individuals who create a comradery that transcends fitness.
Written by Cherese Matthews. CFL3 trainer, Precision Nutrition L1 Coach
References:
Blumenthal, J. A. & Rozanski, A. (2023). Exercise as a therapeutic modality for the prevention and treatment of depression. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 77, 50–58.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.008
Mental Health Disorder Statistics. (2023, February 1). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-
disorder-statistics
