The study has compared data from two groups of almost 200,000 people each, one group with vassal seekers and one control group.

The Vasalopp winner and long-running specialist Britta Johansson Norgren can attest that the lifestyle does its best for the well-being.

- I have not felt so mentally ill that I had to seek care, but I notice that I feel worse when for some reason I cannot exercise. I get a feeling of discomfort in my body and feel tired but at the same time restless. But to change it is not much needed, it is enough to move and get fresh air, she tells TT.

Men feel good about winning - ladies feel worse

For men, better performance seems to provide better mental health - the very fastest ones were least likely to suffer from depression. The fastest women, on the other hand, had a greater risk of depression than women who completed the Vasaloppet in a slower time.

- On the women's side, there is pressure outside the performance. There is still a societal expectation that women should not only make good races, but also be good looking, slim, kind and perfect, says Johansson Norgren.

One piece that has helped Johansson Norgren along the way is mental training.

- It is much easier for me with the mental today than ten years ago. But when the season starts, the mood is very much up and down, I feel pressure and want to live up to expectations, but at the same time tell myself that I do as best I can and cannot influence what others do, she says.