What Polar Explorers Can Teach Us About Mental Health - Outside Magazine

In 2019, Nathan was asked to comment on an article for Outside Magazine on what polar explorers can teach us about mental health. Below is an excerpt from the article:

“From a scientific perspective, Smith says that so far, there’s no single thing that wards off the mental-health challenges presented by these environments. His research has shown that what he calls emotion-focused coping strategies, or ways to reframe the situation and distract yourself, are among the most successful techniques. That might look like Larsen’s small manageable goals—say, moving one ski past the other—or it might mean adopting a moving meditation, like using music or mantras to get out of your head. But the most critical factor, according to Smith, is something that Admiral Ross figured out on his own: when the situation grows dire, some action—even the wrong action—is better than no action. “If we perceive we have the ability to cope, we will respond adaptively,” Smith says. “When we’re overwhelmed, we shut down and stop trying.””

You can read the full article in Outside Magazine here: https://www.outsideonline.com/2383226/polar-explorers-mental-health-expeditions