We talk a great deal about the benefits of CrossFit while focusing much of our conversations around the physical benefits such as weight loss or increasing strength. Not many people want to talk about mental health or depression because there seems to be a stigma about it. If you have a candid discussion with a large number of people, I believe most would admit to having suffered from some form of depression at least once. Depression can range from simply feeling off, to not being able to leave the house or get out of bed. Not everyone seeks treatment for depression and many people don’t require medication. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to help ward off depression and live a less stressful life.
One of the common themes among the coaching staff is our passion for fitness. We have chosen to express that passion by helping others achieve goals using Crossfit as the main tool to get there. While we might focus on the physical aspects of fitness, there is also an emotional and mental component that goes along with it. Not only does CrossFit help improve your physical conditioning, it also has the ability to improve your mood and general sense of well being. There is also the community aspect of CrossFit that goes way beyond just basic exercise. By that, I mean the incredible people you get to interact with on a daily basis from members to coaches. Many of our members develop friendships that extend well beyond the box and having those personal connections are incredibly important when trying to battle depression.
There have been times where I lack the motivation to leave the house and tend to want to isolate myself. When I’m feeling down, I don’t want to be very active and I find that sometimes I could just lay in bed staring at the ceiling. CrossFit Equality is always a place that feels like home and helps get me out of any funk I find myself in. Working out or helping others achieve goals is what keeps me going and I would not be the person I am today without CrossFit Equality. You will never regret making time to get out of the house and interacting with other people. CrossFit Equality just happens to be a great place to do both!