The Best Mental Health Benefits of Crossfit

We all know that exercise is one of the best ways to look after our physical health. However, it’s also an excellent tool to improve our mental state. You might have heard about this high-intensity workout and how addictive this type of training can be. If you’re anything like me, you could be thinking about what the mental benefits of CrossFit are. I’m always looking for ways to improve my mood and energy so this was definitely worth looking into.

The short answer: CrossFit has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost cognitive function(1). The endorphin rush from CrossFit training goes hand in hand with boosting your mood and reducing anxiety.

Let’s look at some more mental health benefits of CrossFit and what to expect when adding it to your weekly routine.

A Supporting Community

The moral support you receive in a CrossFit group setting is ideal for anyone who struggles with working out alone. The CrossFit community is known for being incredibly welcoming, so you’ll feel relaxed during your initial session. Once you begin working out, you’ll find that you focus entirely on the session. This can help to relieve anxious thoughts and take your mind off any stress you are currently feeling.

Great for Depression and Anxiety

For anyone who struggles with anxiety and depression, the last thing you might want to do is a physical and mentally intense workout. However, a tough workout can give you something else to focus on and shake off some of the stress. While there are some days you might not feel like heading to the gym, CrossFit will definitely have you feeling pumped during your workout.

Reduces the Fight or Flight Response

The fight or flight response in the body is an automatic reaction to an event in your life that is either stressful or frightening. It triggers an acute stress response in your body, preparing you to either flee or fight. Physical activity is one of the best ways to get your body out of this mode and get to a good mental state.

If you find you are constantly experiencing stress in your personal or professional life, an hour at CrossFit will do you the world of good. You might want to look into probiotics for your mental health if you’d like to try other natural routes. Keep in mind common mental health struggles can also be improved by doing physical activities without medication.

Conclusion

You might find that your stress levels reduce dramatically, which is something we could all benefit from. For individuals who suffer from mental health struggles, CrossFit might help to give you the boost you need. You might even see yourself losing weight while also improving your strength and fitness.

If you have been considering giving CrossFit a try for your mental health, talk to your doctor or a licensed counselor to make sure it’s the right choice for you.