“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak
~Thomas Carlysle
A tremendous challenge it is, in a society so dedicated to comfort and being just adequate, to push yourself into a painful place; then, to continue to push even harder. However, it is only here that real psychological benefits are earned. Only here can the mind reverse the effects of a society so plagued with laziness, anxiety and depression. Feeling tired or sad? We have drugs for that. Anything to avoid confronting the issue head on. Comfort, like any addiction, can have detrimental effects on your mind and body. The more you accept it the more you need it. Consequently, the more helpless you become. Soon you become too “comfortable” to get up to go for that run like you used to- after all, its much easier to watch TV. The ironic thing about comfort, like any addiction, is that it betrays and then deteriorates the addicted. The body gets sloppy, ages faster, and the mind becomes weak: unstable and unhappy. Self confidence is lost and depression can set in. Many would consider it an unexplainable phenomenon that the most developed societies have a suicide rate significantly higher than countries that we in the United States would look down upon. Haiti, Jordan and Honduras had no suicides in 2003. The USA had close to 17 out of every 100,000 people. Crossfitters know the confidence and self respect that is earned during a grueling workout. You must push harder and faster every day. You must punish the body to free the mind. You will find few moments in your lifetime more gratifying then right after a truly testing workout, lying on the floor quivering with pain and gasping for air, knowing you just smashed your personal best score.
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The psychological benefit of intensity and effort
