The Climbing Doctor Podcast

Climbing as Therapy for Mental Health – Beth Scott

May 2, 2024

34:11

In this conversation, Beth Scott, an occupational therapist and passionate climber, discusses mental health in climbing and provides practical techniques for improving mental well-being. The conversation covers topics such as understanding mental health for climbers, the importance of grounding exercises, breathing techniques, and building community for mental health support. Beth emphasizes the need to address mental health in a holistic manner and provides tangible strategies that climbers can incorporate into their climbing practice. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of mental health in climbing and offers valuable insights for climbers of all levels. In this conversation, Beth Scott, OTR/L, shares valuable insights and strategies for climbers to prevent injuries, improve technique, and enhance performance. The conversation covers the benefits of climbing, common injuries, warm-up and stretching exercises, mental preparation, building strength and endurance, and the importance of recovery and rest. Beth emphasizes the importance of proper technique, body awareness, and listening to your body's signals. She provides practical exercises and tips that can be applied both in climbing and in everyday life. Overall, this conversation provides a comprehensive guide to climbing injury prevention and performance optimization.

Takeaways

Mental health is a broad category that encompasses various aspects of well-being, including anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence.
Grounding exercises, such as the five senses exercise, can help climbers stay present and manage stress and anxiety.
Deliberate breathing while climbing can improve focus, oxygenation, and mental clarity.
Building a supportive community and engaging in social activities can contribute to better mental health in climbing.
Addressing mental health in a holistic manner is essential for climbers to optimize their overall well-being and performance.

Beth Scott's Bio

My name is Beth Scott, and I’m an occupational therapist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I started climbing around 10 years ago when I began undergrad studies. I was uncoordinated and far from athletic, but realized I needed a way to meet people and simultaneously deal with stress. Each year after I became more interested (obsessed?) in climbing, and eventually began cross training, competing, giving lessons, coaching, and route setting at local climbing gyms until starting graduate school. The more I climbed inside and out, the more I saw large gaps in access to both indoor and outdoor climbing to Oklahomans of every ability level. An occupation like climbing can offer so much more than just physical health, and I want to help bridge those gaps.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:26 Understanding Mental Health for Climbers
03:30 Mental Health is Not Always Negative
05:18 Practical Tips for Improving Mental Health
06:00 Grounding Exercise: Five Senses
09:56 Breathing Techniques for Mental Health
23:26 Building Community for Mental Health
33:17 Final Thoughts

Beth Scott's Bio My name is Beth Scott, and I’m an occupational therapist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I started climbing around 10 years ago when I began undergrad studies. I was uncoordinated and far from athletic, but realized I needed a way to meet people and simultaneously deal with stress. Each year after I became more interested (obsessed?) in climbing, and eventually began cross training, competing, giving lessons, coaching, and route setting at local climbing gyms until starting graduate school. The more I climbed inside and out, the more I saw large gaps in access to both indoor and outdoor climbing to Oklahomans of every ability level. An occupation like climbing can offer so much more than just physical health, and I want to help bridge those gaps.

CONTACT BETH SCOTT: 17bethclark@gmail.com

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