Obstacle races not only require you to be physically fit, but it also works wonders on your mental health as well. This article will discuss how participating in them can help you become more fit in this regard, and perhaps it will be an activity you look forward to doing on a regular basis.
Discipline & Resilience
Training for an obstacle course takes a lot of dedicated practice and it’s not always easy to jump right in; it takes conditioning and getting familiar with the types of obstacles you can run into.
However, not all of your training needs to be at the course, and you can set up a workout routine that is designed for strength and endurance. Because courses can go for miles and require participants to use all of their limbs to be mobile, calisthenics and cardio are excellent choices for a workout plan that is focused on improving these skills that are useful for obstacle races.
Additionally, participants are recommended to have a strict diet regimen in order to get into shape for a race because it can help manage your weight, which can improve your performance on the field. Like workouts, diets require commitment in order to see adequate results, but luckily, they tend to go together, so as long as you keep your eye on your goals and stay motivated, you’ll always be a winner, since patience and discipline can be applied in various life scenarios.
Endorphins
Obstacle races are intense forms of exercise and this helps promote the release of naturally-occuring and beneficial chemicals in the body known as endorphins.
Have you ever heard of the phrase “runner’s high”? This is the euphoric sensation and the feelings of relaxation that occur during exercise, and it can happen during any form of physical activity. This means you’ll probably notice it even during your normal training sessions as well.
Endorphins work by acting on the opioid receptors in your brain, and the term endorphin is a combination of the prefix “en”, meaning endogenous or internal, and the suffix “orphin”, referring to morphine. When you combine them together it means “endogenous morphine” and because of its primary function, this is why people will feel less stress and pain and why exercise of any kind is recommended when trying to improve mental health.
Being Part of A Community
While the previous sections were centered around the effects of training and participating in obstacle races, a very important way that they can benefit your mental health is through social interaction.
Having a competitive drive is a great thing to have, but the people you are training and racing with also have the same common goals and interests as you, and the obstacle racing community gets people talking to one another. You might even become part of a team!
At the end of the day, obstacle races are a fun activity for everyone and being part of something like this can have a positive impact on your mood and overall outlook in life. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing it as a hobby or you want to race professionally – anyone who enjoys obstacle courses is part of the community.
Can Therapy Help You Perform Better?
Your mindset is extremely important when training and undergoing a race, and although there is a lot you can do in your own hands to manage stress and make yourself a calmer and more focused individual, an extra hand could prove to be very helpful.
Just like how coaches are there for just about any sport, a therapist can essentially be your life coach and give you the skills you need to cope with the obstacles that may come up in your ordinary life. By managing them, you’ll probably notice that your improved mental health comes with better performance.
To find a counselor or therapist who can help you reach your goals, visit MyTherapist today and click here to learn more about how online therapy can benefit you.
Conclusion
Getting started in obstacle races might be intimidating at first, but with time and focused training, you’ll be racing in no time. Importantly, take advantage of the physical and mental health benefits that it has to offer you and be a part of a community like no other.
