Infuse Positive Thinking into Your Climbing Program

Positive thinking has been proven to be good for physical and mental wellbeing. It is shown to lower heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease and increase life span. It can also improve energy levels, lower rates of depression, improve the ability to manage stress and more. In recognition of Positive Thinking Day (September 13), here are some ways to incorporate positive thinking into your rock-climbing program.

• Play upbeat, happy music in the gym or space where climbers are climbing.
• Post positive messaging on or near the climbing wall.
• Hang signs such as “Stay Strong,” “Believe in Yourself” and “Never Give Up.”
• Install some of our Character Hand Holds that display climbable words such as “Courage” and “Kindness.”
• Encourage climbers to be positive towards each other:
  • Compliment fellow climbers:
    • “You climbed really well today!”
    • “You did an amazing job during the activity.”
    • “It was great how you helped (name) during the activity.”
  • Cheer on and support fellow climbers:
    • “You can do it!”
    • “Great job!”
    • “There’s a big foot hold by your right knee that might help get you across.”
• Encourage climbers to be grateful.
• Thank the climbing wall supervisor for overseeing today’s activity.
• Thank fellow climbers for helping in an activity or contributing to a successful outcome.
• Be thankful for the ability to climb (not everyone can physically climb).
• Be thankful for the opportunity to climb (not every organization has a climbing wall).
• Encourage climbers to practice positive self-talk before, during and after climbing:
  • Before Climbing:
    • Tell yourself that you are a strong climber.
    • Tell yourself you will climb well today.
    • Tell yourself you will have fun today.
    • Tell yourself you will encourage/support another climber today.
  • During Climbing:
    • Tell yourself to give your best effort.
    • Tell yourself “you got this!”
    • Consider alternative ways to climb when you encounter a challenge.
  • After Climbing:
    • Identify one thing you did well.
    • Identify one thing that was fun about the activity.
    • If something doesn’t go as well as you had hoped, tell yourself you will approach things differently next time and it will go better.
• Encourage climbers to focus on what they did well by asking questions after the climbing wall activity:
  • What was the best part of today’s activity?
  • What do you like best about rock climbing?
  • What is one of your biggest strengths when it comes to climbing?
  • How did you contribute to your success or your team’s success in today’s activity?
  • Think back to the first time you climbed. How has your climbing improved since then?