{"id":1990861,"date":"2026-06-15T03:42:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T00:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1990861"},"modified":"2026-06-15T03:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T00:42:27","slug":"study-shows-skiing-can-lower-your-risk-of-anxiety-depression-and-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1990861","title":{"rendered":"Study Shows Skiing Can Lower Your Risk of Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_153806\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153806\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-153806 size-full lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGQAQMAAAAEPUNmAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADZJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAeDR+kAABdezbqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Skiing is good for mental health\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Skiing-is-good-for-Mental-Health-.jpg?resize=640%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Skiing-is-good-for-Mental-Health-.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Skiing-is-good-for-Mental-Health-.jpg?resize=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-153806 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Skiing-is-good-for-Mental-Health-.jpg?resize=640%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Skiing is good for mental health\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A new study is showing that skiing can help maintain your mental and neurological health. | Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skibasics.com\/news\/health-benefits-of-skiing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ski Basics<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_1 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>I know it, you know it, we all know it \u2014 skiing makes you feel good. <\/strong>But the mental health benefits of skiing go far deeper than the endorphin rush of a good run. Science is now telling us that a physically active skiing lifestyle may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term brain health.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The most compelling research comes from a remarkable long-term project by brain researchers at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lunduniversity.lu.se\/article\/skiers-had-lower-incidence-depression-and-vascular-dementia-not-alzheimers\">Lund University<\/a> and Uppsala University in Sweden, who have spent decades studying the health outcomes of participants in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vasaloppet.se\/en\/\">Vasaloppet<\/a> \u2014 the world\u2019s oldest and largest cross-country ski race, held annually in Sweden since 1922. <\/strong>The researchers compared approximately 200,000 people who competed in Vasaloppet between 1989 and 2010 with an equally large control group from the general Swedish population. What they found across multiple published studies is striking.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/after-the-closing-ceremony-the-reality-of-post-olympic-depression\/\"><em>After the Closing Ceremony: The Reality of Post-Olympic Depression<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Depression:<\/strong> By the end of the study period, only 1,030 Vasaloppet skiers had developed depression \u2014 compared to 2,045 people in the control group. Skiers were half as likely to be diagnosed with depression as their non-skiing counterparts. For men specifically, faster finishing times correlated with even lower depression risk. Among women, all skiers showed lower depression rates than the general population regardless of performance level.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vascular Dementia:<\/strong> Two decades after competing, only 233 Vasaloppet skiers had developed dementia compared to 319 in the general population. When broken down by type, skiers were 50% less likely to develop vascular dementia \u2014 the type caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, often triggered by stroke. Importantly, however, researchers found no significant reduction in the risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. \u201cThe results indicate that physical activity does not affect the molecular processes that cause Alzheimer\u2019s disease, such as the accumulation of the amyloid protein,\u201d said Professor Oskar Hansson, memory researcher at Lund University. \u201cNonetheless, physical activity reduces the risk of vascular damage to the brain, as well as to the rest of the body.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anxiety:<\/strong> A follow-up study published in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/psychiatry\">Frontiers in Psychiatry<\/a> in 2021 \u2014 using the same Vasaloppet cohort of nearly 400,000 people followed for up to 21 years \u2014 found that skiers had approximately <strong>60% lower risk of being diagnosed with anxiety disorders<\/strong> compared to non-skiers, regardless of age, education level, or sex. The study was picked up by the New York Times and CNN and remains one of the largest studies ever conducted on physical activity and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Parkinson\u2019s Disease:<\/strong> Among Vasaloppet participants, only 119 were diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease compared to 164 in the general population. \u201cIt seems that those who are physically active have a \u2018motor reserve\u2019 that postpones the onset of the disease,\u201d said doctoral student and study author Tomas Olsson. \u201cIf a person trains a lot it may be possible to maintain mobility for longer despite the pathological changes in the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAs brain researchers, we have had the unique opportunity to analyze an exceptionally large group of very physically active people over two decades,\u201d said research team leader and Lund University professor Tomas Deierborg. \u201cWe have unravelled some interesting results.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>What is important to point out is that the Vasaloppet research is observational, not experimental \u2014 meaning it shows correlation, not causation.<\/strong> Professor Deierborg himself is careful on this point: \u201cOne must remain humble when interpreting the data, as we do not show any causality.\u201d It is possible that people who choose to participate in long-distance ski races are already predisposed to better health outcomes through factors the study does not control for.<\/p>\n<p><strong>That said, the scale of the research \u2014 nearly 400,000 people, tracked for up to two decades \u2014 is exceptionally robust by the standards of epidemiological research.<\/strong> And the findings are consistent across depression, anxiety, vascular dementia, and Parkinson\u2019s, which strengthens the case that physical activity is the mechanism rather than a confounding variable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Beyond the Vasaloppet research, a growing body of evidence supports the mental health benefits of time spent in nature.<\/strong> A study published in <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/journal\/11482\">Applied Research in Quality of Life<\/a> surveyed 279 visitors at three major ski resorts and found that the experience of skiing significantly increased overall happiness and reported wellbeing \u2014 a finding consistent with broader ecotherapy research showing that time outdoors in natural environments lowers cortisol levels, reduces blood pressure, and improves mood.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Skiing also induces what psychologists call a flow state \u2014 the condition of complete absorption in a challenging physical task \u2014 which is associated with reduced anxiety, improved self-esteem, and heightened feelings of competence and control.<\/strong> The technical demands of skiing, which require continuous focus on terrain, speed, and body position, are particularly well-suited to producing this state. It is arguably one of the few recreational activities that forces genuine mindfulness by making distraction physically dangerous.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/the-brain-science-behind-flow-states\/\"><em><strong>The Brain Science Behind Flow States<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The science of skiing and brain health is still developing, and the Vasaloppet researchers are the first to acknowledge that much remains to be understood about the mechanisms involved.<\/strong> But the evidence base from this study is large enough \u2014 and consistent enough \u2014 to say something meaningful.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Skiers are significantly less likely to develop depression, anxiety, vascular dementia, and Parkinson\u2019s disease than their non-skiing counterparts.<\/strong> The protective effect appears strongest for vascular brain health and mood disorders. And while skiing cannot yet be claimed as a defence against Alzheimer\u2019s specifically, it is a powerful tool for the kinds of brain health that are within our reach to influence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>So the next time someone questions whether your lift pass is a justifiable expense, you have a peer-reviewed answer: it is a long-term investment in your mental health.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153809\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-153809\" style=\"width: 1350px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-153809 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFHAQMAAAALBm\/xAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADFJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4MYAZ3cAAXODWZ4AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt=\"Famous Swedish ski race \" width=\"640\" height=\"327\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=640%2C327&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=600%2C307&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=300%2C153&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=768%2C393&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=700%2C358&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"327\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-153809\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Vasaloppet.jpg?resize=640%2C327&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Famous Swedish ski race \" width=\"640\" height=\"327\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-153809\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vasaloppet: An annual Swedish cross-country ski race. | Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vasaloppet.se\/en\/races\/ski-races\/vasaloppet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vasaloppet<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new study is showing that skiing can help maintain your mental and neurological health. | Credit: Ski Basics I know it, you know it, we all know it \u2014 skiing makes you feel good. But the mental health benefits of skiing go far deeper than the endorphin rush of a good run. Science is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1990861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1990861"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990861\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1990861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1990861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1990861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}