Martial Arts are often pictured as these incredibly physical benefiting machines, and many miss that they have a wide range of mental benefits too. So, in this blog, we will dive into 7 benefits that martial arts bring to your mental health.
1. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
I'm sure we have all heard of the saying "healthy body, healthy mind" and thought nothing more of it, but martial arts is one of those activities that places an emphasis on both mental and physical activity. If your body is healthy, you're more likely to feel healthy. It's the same principle as waking up on time: you feel great because you are physically and mentally happy about where you are.
2. Self Confidence
Martial Disciplines are well known for boosting self-confidence, and I don't just mean because you understand how to punch someone or could survive a fight. I mean,n because you climb up the ranks off the back of your own effort. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink." When you pass your grading, you pass because of your own effort alone. No matter how many times an instructor tells you to do something, it is only you who can pass for your next belt.
3. Tangible Proof
When you think about becoming a black belt when you first get your white belt, it may look like a marathon, and it is, but with each belt you get, you have tangible proof of your improvement and growth towards your goal. One main problem people have when trying to achieve their goals is that they can't see improvement or progress, but with martial arts, your progress is reflected in the colours of your belts. This, therefore, gives you a physical reminder that you are moving forward towards your goal, and while the road ahead may be covered in mist, you can still take the one step forward
4. Knowing How to Protect
"We do not fight becuase we hate what's infront of us, but because we love what is behind us"
It's in human instinct to protect those things closest to us, the things that mean so much, whether it is an item or a person. Humans have fought to protect themselves for centuries. Now, in this modern world where a lot of the population isn't facing that same danger, it's still crucial to know how to protect the things you love, not just because something might happen but because it boosts your own confidence. If you're confident in your ability, then you will walk down the street without hesitation.
5. Stress Relief
Martial arts is a great form of stress relief not just because you can hit pads with your arms and legs but because by taking time to focus on something else and progress in it, your body will release chemicals that help release stress and provide a balance. Stress is actually good for your body, but prolonged exposure to a high amount of stress can cause an overload. So remember to take time to yourself and release the stress that can build up over time.
6. Improved Focus and Discipline
Martial arts require a large amount of focus and constant practice. The definition of Discipline is "the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience" In martial arts, you are training your body and mind to follow the codes of that martial art in order to learn the skills.
7. Social Connection
Martial arts isn't just beneficial for one person, but it's beneficial for building a community of like-minded people. In martial disciplines, you'll rarely find someone of a higher belt shouting at a White belt because they don't know how to do a specific stance. In martil arts every one seems to understand that they were once at that stage and that everyone is travelling their own path at their own time.
Martial Arts may be seen as a physical disciple, but the mental benefits that it brings can be just as effective for helping people reach their goals. Whether their goals be physical fitness, self-discover, or self-acceptance, martial arts brings all sorts of people together for the change to learn from one another's unique journeys.
