Recent Research Says That Climbing Can Reduce Depression and Anxiety

September 9, 2026

Four months into motherhood and drowning in early-morning anxiety and depression, I found hope in a new study showing how therapeutic climbing forces your brain into a state of mindfulness. The lead study author and a performance psychologist weigh in.

My eyes shot open two hours before my alarm, again, and the anxiety train that is my postpartum brain pulled out of the station right on schedule. I’m a journalist and Outside’s former health history columnist, and I work full-time. I’m also a new parent. Naturally, my work hours and personal life are all over the place.

Four months into motherhood, I find myself managing everything from moments of crushing anxiety to bouts of depression any time I question my parenting abilities. On top of that, as a runner and someone who loves to ski and do anything outdoors, I’m feeling a bit of cabin fever these days and trying to figure out when the hell I can get back on my workout schedule or do any kind of physical activity at all. Outside