by: Robert Regler
If you ever meet me in person, I can and will bring up my love for martial arts. I am someone who grew up around martial arts all my life and continue to practice them to this day. There are many benefits to picking up some form of martial art, with the most obvious being the physical benefits. However, martial arts have another benefit to them that some people are not aware of. Despite a lot of misconceptions, martial arts are something that can help one’s overall wellbeing. While the physical benefits are there, martial arts provide one with numerous mental health benefits. Whether it is providing an outlet for stress buildup or feeling a part of a community, martial arts can help almost everyone improve their overall mental health.
I think because of the media, martial arts (and most combat sports) get a bad
reputation. The main misconception is that martial arts is something that promotes violence and aggression. The reality of the situation is most instructors will promote only using the techniques for self-defense. They want people to learn how to protect themselves in a dangerous situation rather than create them. In fact, a lot of martial arts will teach you ways to neutralize a situation rather than escalating it.
Martial arts provide people with more than just punching and kicking techniques. For one, it provides them with a sense of community. Since you are going to be around the same people in such close proximity, these individuals become a pseudo family to you. Being surrounded by like minded individuals promotes teamwork, dedication, and structure. Though there can be some outliers, most martial arts facilities promote a supportive environment where everyone wants you to succeed. A lot of times you will rely on a partner for training, and they will rely on you. When I first joined my mixed martial arts gym, I was shocked at the level of support I received from people I just met and how ready they were to help me. This kind of social interaction is not only good for overall mental health but can also become a preventative factor for problems down the road like dementia.
One clear mental benefit martial art has is stress management. After a hard day at work, hitting pads, striking a bag, or grappling with a teammate does wonders for relieving tension (especially if you have a desk job). It gives your mind a break from anything that might be currently bothering you and provides a positive outlet. Rather than facing the temptation of handling stress in a negative manner, you already have a great outlet. Not only are you alleviating stress, but you are also getting a great workout in. The workout will also help release endorphins in your brain that are related to feelings of happiness and joy.
Whether you are training to get a good workout in or to relieve some stress, martial arts can have a place in many people’s lives. The physical benefits are clear, but the mental benefits are there too. If you are interested in pursuing a hobby in martial arts remember that the environment is very accepting and there should be nothing to worry about. If you are interested more on this topic or anything similar, the Southwest Council provides free presentations for parents, community members, and schools. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011 or visit us online at www.southwestcouncil.org.
Sources:
https://cmbt.com.au/blogs/combat/the-mental-health-benefits-of-combat-sport
https://www.onefc.com/lifestyle/7-misconceptions-most-people-have-about-training-in-martial-arts/
https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-019-0329-5
