8 Psychological Benefits of Martial Arts

1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. We know that a professional diagnosis is important for treating serious conditions. However, martial arts is a physical exercise that is proven to improve a person’s mental wellbeing.

Let’s take a closer look at 8 of the psychological benefits of martial arts:

1. Increases Confidence/ Gives Purpose

Martial arts help you to feel a sense of calm, confidence, and renewed peace with who you are and what your purpose is. They strengthen your mind as well as your body and teach you how to cope with the obstacles in life.

2. Improves Cognitive Functions

Being able to think fast to play out a tactical fight is a crucial part of martial arts training. Having to be always mentally sharp, focused, calm, and alert will also translate into your daily life. Your cognitive functions will improve, which will help with things such as memory and concentration.

3. Alleviates Stress and Anxiety

We all experience a certain amount of stress in our day-to-day life, and it is important to ensure that we don’t let it build up to a point where it impacts our mental wellbeing. Martial arts are a great way to alleviate stress and are a good outlet for all the negative energy that has built up during your day. They help to reduce stress and anxiety by helping you to practice deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness.

4. Lifts Moods

All forms of physical exercise result in the stimulation of the feel-good hormone, dopamine. Because martial arts are an intense form of training, your dopamine levels will certainly rise during a session and you will be left with a lifted mood.

5. Helps to Regulate Emotions

All of us feel angry at times, this is a normal emotion to have. But if we bury these negative feelings, they will build up and create bigger problems in the long run. Martial arts help you to develop a greater emotional stability, and focus your anger in a productive way.

6. Teaches Perseverance

Martial arts encourage you to dig deep, discover what challenges you are facing in life and move through any metal blocks that you might have. It also take a lot of time and perseverance to develop your skills in any martial arts discipline- which is a skill that you can use to tackle challenges in your life.

7. Increases Humility

Martial arts are a complete value system, as well as a physical form of exercise. When you apply the core principles of martial arts to your like, you are likely to become humbler, and more respectable of those around you.

8. Expands your social network

The dojo is a great place to meet new people and belong to a supportive community. It is easy to make meaningful relationships when you are surrounded by people who are working towards the same goals as you.

It can feel empowering If you find the right martial arts practice for you, but what you get out of it depends on how much you put in.

It is also important to remember that while martial arts can be a powerful tool for improving your mental health in the ways that we have discussed, they must not be a substitute for mental health treatment if this is needed. If you are experiencing mental health problems that affect your ability to function, consider talking to a medical health professional.