Why is Triathlon the Best Sport for Better Mental Health?
Triathlon is a great sport for your physical and mental health. It’s a challenging but rewarding way to get exercise and it can help you improve your mood, reduce stress and boost your self-esteem.
Here are just a few of the ways that triathlon can improve your mental health:
- Triathlon is an endurance sport that trains each of its disciplines (swim, bike, and run) over long distances. This means you can take your time and enjoy the journey, whether you’re chatting with a friend on a bike ride, soaking up the views on a swim, or listening to music on a run. These activities require repetitive movements that can help you achieve a state of flow, which is a great way to quiet your mind and relax
- Triathlon is a great sport for self-esteem because it’s three sports in one. This means that everyone has something they’re good at, and something they can improve on. So you’re not going to be comparing yourself to someone who’s better than you at everything because everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.
- Triathlon involves swimming in open water, which can be scary. Our brains might tell us that we’re weak, incapable, and going to drown. But these are just thoughts and we can control them. The only things we can control in the water are our emotions and our swimming technique. So if we focus on breathing and moving our arms and legs, we can get through it. This skill can be applied to other challenging situations in life.
- Triathlon can be a great way to connect with people or be alone, whatever you need. You can find people to train with through triathlon clubs or just by meeting other people who are training for triathlons. And if you’re looking for some quiet time, you can always go for a solo swim, bike ride, or run.
- Triathlon can also teach you how to endure discomfort. This is a valuable skill for anyone living with depression because it can help you to sit with your difficult emotions and not try to fix them immediately. When you’re training for a triathlon, you learn to trust that the discomfort will pass and that you can get through it. This can help you to be more compassionate with yourself when you’re struggling with depression.
So if you’re feeling inspired and think you might want to see what on earth I’m going on about for yourself, here are our top tips for starting out gently and with compassion:
- Start small and be consistent. Don’t try to do too much too soon, or you’ll get discouraged and quit. Start with short workouts and gradually increase the distance and intensity over time.
- Be compassionate with yourself. Triathlon is a challenging sport, so it’s important to be patient and kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day or don’t meet your goals. Just get back on the horse and keep going.
- Find a friend or training buddy. Training with someone else can help you stay motivated and accountable.
- Keep it simple. Don’t get bogged down in the details. Just focus on swimming, biking, and running.
- Embrace the challenge. Triathlon is hard, but it’s also rewarding. Don’t be afraid to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
- Build a positive relationship with yourself. Triathlon is a great way to learn to love and appreciate your body. Listen to your body and take care of it.
Stuart has competed in triathlons from Sprint to Ironman distance. As a qualified Triathlon Australia, Australian Athletics Run Coach, and a certified Ironman coach, he is aware of the importance of balancing training with lifestyle, thus complementing other important aspects of an athlete’s life (family, work, study commitments, etc.).
Contact Stuart at rdytotri@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadyToTriTriathlon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readytotri_bne/
#readytotri_bne #retreatcafe #redcliffecycles #maowconsulting #monrofamilybowen #infinitnutritionoz #inspireathletic #burpengarydental #triathloncoach #runcoach #personaltrainer #ironmanu #ironmancoach #coachme #tricoach #triathlon #swimbikerun #ironman #triathlete #running #triathlontraining #run #cycling #bike #swim #ironmantri #training #swimming #fitness #anythingispossible
