Exercise, Rock Climbing, And Mental Health
Exercise Benefits:
It's no secret that exercise is good for the body. However, extensive research suggests that exercise can improve or ease symptoms of many mental health disorders. When you have depression or anxiety, exercise might seem far out of reach, but once you become motivated, it can make a huge difference. When you exercise, your body releases feel good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals called endogenous cannabinoids. These chemicals have been shown to improve mood, ease anxiety, and enhance your sense of well being. Over the short term, exercise acts as both a natural antidepressant and euphoriant, whereas consistent exercise leads to increased cognition, improved working memory, and general improvements in mood and self-esteem.
Long Term Effects in Depth:
Some studies suggest that regular exercise improves cognition because it induces longterm term changes in the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for learning and memory recall. Although still not completely understood, it is believed these changes are due to increased volume and an increased rate of neuronal formation within this area. Recently, researchers have conducted a series of experiments with hippocampal cells to understand how muscle contractions cause these cells to fire and grow. In the end, researches concluded that exposure to chemical signals from resistance and calisthenics training caused increased quantities of hippocampal neurons by 1.4 to 4.4 times.
So what does this mean? Increased firing of these neurons have been shown to reduce inflammation and stress, Improve sleep, and could be potent preventative measure against neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. However, Whether you're Running, Rock Climbing, or going to the gym, it is imperative that the exercise you do happens on a consistent basis.
How long should we exercise?
Any amount of exercise is beneficial for both our mind and body. However, 30 plus minutes of exercise for 3 to 5 days a week is the golden ratio for seeing improvements in our mental health. If this is too difficult, 10-15 minutes is a good starting place, but it might take longer to see cognitive improvements. Wherever your skill level, being consistent is the best option for seeing health improvements in the long term.
Rock climbing and mental health: How is it different?
As we know, virtually all forms of exercise have some benefit on mood or cognitive function, so what makes rock climbing different? The reason is climbing has a perceptual or problem-solving aspect that many other sports don’t have. Climbers have to plan out a climb, anticipate proper body positioning, and find the most efficient resting spots on the wall. Each step of the climb requires the climber to solve a pattern, this why climbers refer to their climbs as “problems” rather than “walls”. The advantage of climbing over other physical activities also might have to do with the sports objectively threatening nature which requires focused attention and mindfulness. In a sense, because a climber has to be fully in control of their mind and body to stay on the wall, the sport becomes a form of meditation.
Avid Rock climber and college student Adam Jamal states “climbing has had a massive impact on my life, when I leave the gym, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle any tasks I have that day”. Furthermore, he says “you can’t just muscle up a climbing problem, there are people at my gym who might be physically weaker than me but can climb harder things because they are better at solving problem at hand”.
Exercise Benefits:
It's no secret that exercise is good for the body. However, extensive research suggests that exercise can improve or ease symptoms of many mental health disorders. When you have depression or anxiety, exercise might seem far out of reach, but once you become motivated, it can make a huge difference. When you exercise, your body releases feel good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals called endogenous cannabinoids. These chemicals have been shown to improve mood, ease anxiety, and enhance your sense of well being. Over the short term, exercise acts as both a natural antidepressant and euphoriant, whereas consistent exercise leads to increased cognition, improved working memory, and general improvements in mood and self-esteem.
Long Term Effects in Depth:
Some studies suggest that regular exercise improves cognition because it induces longterm term changes in the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for learning and memory recall. Although still not completely understood, it is believed these changes are due to increased volume and an increased rate of neuronal formation within this area. Recently, researchers have conducted a series of experiments with hippocampal cells to understand how muscle contractions cause these cells to fire and grow. In the end, researches concluded that exposure to chemical signals from resistance and calisthenics training caused increased quantities of hippocampal neurons by 1.4 to 4.4 times.
So what does this mean? Increased firing of these neurons have been shown to reduce inflammation and stress, Improve sleep, and could be potent preventative measure against neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. However, Whether you're Running, Rock Climbing, or going to the gym, it is imperative that the exercise you do happens on a consistent basis.
How long should we exercise?
Any amount of exercise is beneficial for both our mind and body. However, 30 plus minutes of exercise for 3 to 5 days a week is the golden ratio for seeing improvements in our mental health. If this is too difficult, 10-15 minutes is a good starting place, but it might take longer to see cognitive improvements. Wherever your skill level, being consistent is the best option for seeing health improvements in the long term.
Rock climbing and mental health: How is it different?
As we know, virtually all forms of exercise have some benefit on mood or cognitive function, so what makes rock climbing different? The reason is climbing has a perceptual or problem-solving aspect that many other sports don’t have. Climbers have to plan out a climb, anticipate proper body positioning, and find the most efficient resting spots on the wall. Each step of the climb requires the climber to solve a pattern, this why climbers refer to their climbs as “problems” rather than “walls”. The advantage of climbing over other physical activities also might have to do with the sports objectively threatening nature which requires focused attention and mindfulness. In a sense, because a climber has to be fully in control of their mind and body to stay on the wall, the sport becomes a form of meditation.
Avid Rock climber and college student Adam Jamal states “climbing has had a massive impact on my life, when I leave the gym, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle any tasks I have that day”. Furthermore, he says “you can’t just muscle up a climbing problem, there are people at my gym who might be physically weaker than me but can climb harder things because they are better at solving problem at hand”.
The Growth and Popularity of Rock Climbing
Climbing History:
Rock climbing has risen in popularity in recent years, gaining a dedicated following and attracting people from all walks of life. Once an obscure activity done by few, climbing has quickly risen in popularity and has captured the attention of thrill-seekers and hobbyists alike.
According to the popular climbing website, Rock Climbing Central, the history of rock climbing can arguably be traced back to 400 BC with the first documented cave paintings of humans climbing for sport. However, the birth of modern-day climbing didn’t start until the 19th and 20th centuries with the creation of better gear and climbing clubs. World events such as WW2 brought new inventions that allowed rock climbers to climb higher and further than ever before. Nylon rope, pitons, and inexpensive carabiners were just some of these inventions.
Growth of Climbing:
Fast forward a century and rock climbing is a full-fledged Olympic sport. It made its debut in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. So what has led to the sport's increased popularity? There are several reasons, but the main three are media exposure, increased accessibility, and mental/physical health benefits. Let's start with increased accessibility, according to rock climber John Posay, a major factor to rock climbing’s increasing popularity is the significant increase in climbing gyms around the world. It is no longer reserved for elite athletes or those living near mountains. Individuals can now train and practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. As a result, more people are being introduced to the sport who can enjoy it without geographical constraints.
In addition, increased media exposure has played an even more significant role in promoting rock climbing to a wider audience. Documentaries such as The Dawn Wall and Free Solo have captivated audiences around the world. These were some of the first films that received praise from a non-climber audience and put climbing on the map as a real sport. These films also created “climbing celebrities” such as Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell who have garnered large followings across social media platforms. Now media platforms extensively cover prestigious climbing competitions like the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cups and the Olympics. Broadcasting these events allows a wider audience to witness the excitement and athleticism involved in rock climbing, which in turn drives interest and participation.
In an interview with rock climbing enthusiast Tristan Friend, he stated his interest in climbing started from watching climbing films and influencers. Tristan says “I initially fell in love with the sport through watching this Norwegian climber on YouTube called Magnus Mittbo, he was just so enthusiastic about climbing and his videos were super funny and entertaining, so I said I would give it a shot, and here I am now, a climber”.
Lastly, Climbing is great for your mental and physical health. According to climber John Possay, climbing is unique in that it involves flexibility, strength, problem-solving, and social activity in order to solve a problem. Climbers must work their brains as well as their muscles and work with others to plan the best route up the wall. Climbers often work together and “support one another on their physical journeys”. This not only motivates exercise, but creates a sense of community within a climbing group.
Climbing History:
Rock climbing has risen in popularity in recent years, gaining a dedicated following and attracting people from all walks of life. Once an obscure activity done by few, climbing has quickly risen in popularity and has captured the attention of thrill-seekers and hobbyists alike.
According to the popular climbing website, Rock Climbing Central, the history of rock climbing can arguably be traced back to 400 BC with the first documented cave paintings of humans climbing for sport. However, the birth of modern-day climbing didn’t start until the 19th and 20th centuries with the creation of better gear and climbing clubs. World events such as WW2 brought new inventions that allowed rock climbers to climb higher and further than ever before. Nylon rope, pitons, and inexpensive carabiners were just some of these inventions.
Growth of Climbing:
Fast forward a century and rock climbing is a full-fledged Olympic sport. It made its debut in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. So what has led to the sport's increased popularity? There are several reasons, but the main three are media exposure, increased accessibility, and mental/physical health benefits. Let's start with increased accessibility, according to rock climber John Posay, a major factor to rock climbing’s increasing popularity is the significant increase in climbing gyms around the world. It is no longer reserved for elite athletes or those living near mountains. Individuals can now train and practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment. As a result, more people are being introduced to the sport who can enjoy it without geographical constraints.
In addition, increased media exposure has played an even more significant role in promoting rock climbing to a wider audience. Documentaries such as The Dawn Wall and Free Solo have captivated audiences around the world. These were some of the first films that received praise from a non-climber audience and put climbing on the map as a real sport. These films also created “climbing celebrities” such as Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell who have garnered large followings across social media platforms. Now media platforms extensively cover prestigious climbing competitions like the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cups and the Olympics. Broadcasting these events allows a wider audience to witness the excitement and athleticism involved in rock climbing, which in turn drives interest and participation.
In an interview with rock climbing enthusiast Tristan Friend, he stated his interest in climbing started from watching climbing films and influencers. Tristan says “I initially fell in love with the sport through watching this Norwegian climber on YouTube called Magnus Mittbo, he was just so enthusiastic about climbing and his videos were super funny and entertaining, so I said I would give it a shot, and here I am now, a climber”.
Lastly, Climbing is great for your mental and physical health. According to climber John Possay, climbing is unique in that it involves flexibility, strength, problem-solving, and social activity in order to solve a problem. Climbers must work their brains as well as their muscles and work with others to plan the best route up the wall. Climbers often work together and “support one another on their physical journeys”. This not only motivates exercise, but creates a sense of community within a climbing group.
Jobs For Climbers Outside The Industry
As climbing continues to gain popularity as a recreational activity and competitive sport, the range of opportunities for climbers has expanded significantly. Climbers who may have previously seen their sport as an athletic hobby could be useful in a range of jobs outside the climbing world. One such job is a climbing arborist. A climbing arborist is someone who specializes in taking care of the health and well-being of trees. An arborist is “called upon to help assess the condition of trees, provide a diagnosis for potential diseases, and offer their recommendations on how to properly care and maintain the plants” (americanarborists.net). In an interview with aspiring climbing arborist Jack Weinmeister, he states “We mainly trim trees, or take care of trees that are sick, we apply pesticides, treatments, water them through winter” etc. Becoming an arborist can be a natural progression for climbers who have a passion for scaling heights and care about nature.
In our interview, Jack also talks about the two climbing methods used for scaling trees. MRS and SRS, meaning moving rope system and static rope system. The first method involves throwing a rope up and over a tree and using both ends of the rope connected to a harness to make your way up. On a static rope system, you are only using one end of the rope connected to a pulley system to make your way up. Both these methods of climbing are similar to what a rock climber would use to repel down a cliff. Thus, contractors and companies are more inclined to hire people with a background in rock climbing. They are looking for someone who is comfortable with hazards and can tolerate the emotional and physical demands of the job.
However, Jack states that being a climber does not automatically make you qualified for the job, you must acquire certain certifications to specialize in this field. Certification programs such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or Tree Care Industry Association. Following this, an arborist must take an exam that evaluates his or her knowledge and skills in arboriculture. Overall, Transitioning from climbing to arboriculture requires dedication, education, and a strong drive and passion for the natural world.
