Want to fly over rooftops and walls? Being Spider-Man in the "city" is no longer just a dream, be a hero for your "heart"!

I believe everyone is familiar with Spider-Man. Whenever we see his flexible figure freely shuttling between tall buildings and running on almost straight up and down flat surfaces in comics or on the screen, we may have an interesting fantasy flashing in our minds: "It would be great if I also had his superpowers."

Unfortunately, there is always a gap between reality and ideal. Although we cannot possess real superpowers, a sport that has become popular in recent years and seems to be a kind of "superpower" in the eyes of others may help you realize this heroic dream. It can even help your "heart" to be a hero. This magical sport is indoor rock climbing.

Being Spider-Man in the "city" is no longer just a dream:

Rock climbing has always been touted as an unconventional and quite dangerous extreme sport. In the 2019 Oscar-winning documentary "Free Solo", the protagonist Alex Honnold challenged to climb El Capitan, known as the "extreme plane", without the protection of ropes or protective equipment, which sublimated rock climbing to a realm that ordinary people could hardly reach.

This perception did not recover until rock climbing was officially included in the Olympic Games in 2020. Although it is still incredible every time you watch it, many people have gradually developed a strong interest in this sport and started searching for relevant information on the Internet. Videos of rock climbing have been viewed more than one billion times on social media.

Of course, the danger, difficulty, and site requirements of outdoor rock climbing are indeed too strict for most people. But this cannot stop people's interest, and indoor rock climbing soon became the first choice for newcomers, enthusiasts, and even professional rock climbers. Indoor rock climbing provides a safe environment, with quite comprehensive protection and systematic teaching guidance, a variety of rock climbing routes, including some designed for children and beginners, and no need to worry about the influence of weather. A report from the British Climbing Wall Association found that in recent years, 1.5 million people in the UK have joined the indoor rock climbing team, an increase of 50% from two years ago. Around the world, the number of participants in indoor rock climbing is also increasing exponentially.

Can you really be a hero for your heart by using both your hands and feet?

In recent years, more and more studies have shown that rock climbing using both hands and feet does have a positive effect on our psychology.

Challenge depression and find the positive side of life:

Studies have found that rock climbing can significantly alleviate the surge in depression. Most sports have a positive impact on mental health, but rock climbing seems to be particularly effective in this regard. Most people who feel depressed generally have low self-confidence and self-satisfaction, and it is difficult for them to find positive events with obvious success or progress in their daily lives, so as to balance and compensate for their own negative emotions, which becomes a vicious cycle over time. For rock climbing, progress and success are obvious. Every step taken on a fixed route is a progress, and every completion of a route is a success. The sense of accomplishment generated at the top of the mountain will bring participants a high degree of self-confidence and satisfaction, and they will slowly learn to discover their own positive side, thereby alleviating depression.

Repair your fading focus:

Rock climbing gives us the opportunity to solve problems creatively. Each route on the wall is essentially a puzzle that requires both hands and feet and a focused mind. We need to design and try many different climbing methods, face challenges, and experience failures until we find the best solution. For those of us who have gradually lost our concentration and are unable to concentrate due to frequent short videos, this has become a great opportunity to cultivate resilience and patience and improve our sense of self-efficacy.

Let you unconsciously enter deep meditation:

As a sport that requires both physical and mental effort, rock climbing requires you to stay fully focused during the process. This frees our brains from the stress and worries of life or work, allowing us to think purely, which is a kind of "deep meditation". Although it runs counter to the absolute "stillness" required for ordinary meditation, this wholehearted "movement" seems to be a better way to relieve stress for many people.

Improve communication and bring people closer together:

Although, you can indeed be a lone Spider-Man. However, the real fun of rock climbing is not only the result of reaching the top, but more importantly, the experience of overcoming difficulties with friends and family around you, and sharing each other's joy and achievements. Whether it is thinking about climbing routes together or being someone's protector, you can feel a strong sense of companionship. You can also bring your own children to a parent-child competition and show your heroic figure as a parent. No matter who the companions are, for the common purpose, this can help us break down social barriers and bring each other closer. And think about it carefully, it seems to be more handsome if you are chivalrous with several other like-minded Spider-Men.

Conclusion

People like to say that rock climbing requires 20% physical strength and 80% mental strength. In real life, this sport has indeed been proven to have a positive impact on our body and mind. However, before officially becoming a qualified Spider-Man, please learn to do it within your ability. If it is your first time, make sure to experience it in a formal indoor rock climbing institution, with the guidance of a coach and protective measures.

Rock climbing has a magical power. The more difficult it is to climb, the more you want to climb over it. The more impossible it seems to be, the more you want to challenge it. If you ask where this magical power comes from, maybe it comes from the unyielding spirit and perseverance hidden deep in our hearts.