We talk a lot about physical health here at Spartan – how to run faster, get stronger, and train smarter. But your mental health is just as important, both when it comes to racing strong and living a fulfilling and healthy life.

Just like life, Spartan races are tough. They can be grueling, they throw unexpected obstacles at you, and there’s no quitting. That’s why they’re the best training grounds for building mental resilience and discovering your strengths. 

These are just a few of the ways running a Spartan can benefit you mentally.

Related: Try These 30 Lifestyle Habits to Live Like a Spartan Every Day

Mental Health Benefits from Spartan Races

1. It Improves Your Mental Toughness

It’s not enough to just be physically tough to finish one of these races. You have to be mentally tough as nails. When your body is aching like never before and you’re struggling to complete your last few obstacles, your mental resilience is what’s going to propel you forward and allow you to finish strong. 

Mental toughness helps you perform your best when life throws curveballs at you, off the racecourse, too. Embracing discomfort, making a commitment, and grappling with fear head-on are all habits Spartans have had to learn. Keep pushing yourself to  cultivate an unbreakable spirit.

2. It Teaches You to Fail Forward

Spartan’s don’t sugarcoat it:Life is hard, and you’re going to fail a lot. No matter the obstacles you fail, whether it’s the monkey bars or a board meeting at work, what matters is how you get back up and keep going. Knowing that failure isn’t the end-all, be-all and being able to keep pushing forward is key to achieving goals in life and building a positive mindset. 

3. It Can Help Alleviate Anxiety

Exercise is critical for better mental health. Studies show regular exercise can reduce anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem and cognitive function, and build better sleep habits, to boot.

If you don’t have a race on the calendar, now’s the time to sign up. You never know what kind of a difference it can make.