4 Ways Learning Martial Arts Can Make You a Better Person
Now more than ever people are faced with challenges related to their physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. In Australia, the Australian Psychological Society or APS found that around 26% of Australians are suffering from moderate to extreme depression symptoms. Meanwhile, in terms of physical health, obesity in the country has become quite alarming, with 67% of adults or 2 out of 3 individuals being classified as overweight. What’s more, 1 in 4 or about 25% of children in the country aged 2 to 17 are considered overweight or obese.
While there are many factors that contribute to these health issues and challenges, there are also quite a number of solutions that can help mitigate them. One such solution is learning and mastering martial arts, which are not only great as physical activities but also as tools for maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing.
Originating from different parts of the world, this class of sports comes in many styles and variations. It’s good to do some research and consult with trainers so you can choose the best martial art style that fits your goals. Parents who want to learn martial arts with their kids can go to martial arts Perth schools that offer adult programs. It’s an incredible way to bond with your kids while also getting all the health and wellness benefits of the sport at the same time. If you’re interested to learn more about just how advantageous martial arts can be, we’re happy to fill you in.
Improves Your Physical Fitness – If you’re not a fan of running on the treadmill and lifting weights, martial arts is a great alternative to cardio workouts and strength training. With the sport combining agility, flexibility, and aerobic exercise, it can definitely be an option for people who want to lose weight and build up their muscles. Martial arts such as Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts are just some of the recommended styles for improving your physical fitness.
Teaches Self-Defence – While it’s always best to avoid violence, sometimes situations call for you to defend yourself and your family from an attacker. Having the knowledge and skill to be able to use your body to fend of attacks is incredibly empowering and in some cases, life-saving. Some of the martial art styles that are best for self-defence are Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Krav Maga.
Manages Your Stress – There are many ways martial arts can help with stress. First, as with all exercise routines, they can boost your endorphins or those “feel good” hormones in the brain. Second, they help you focus and clear your mind, as you need to practice specific movements and pay attention to your breathing pattern. Third, these sports enable you to physically release your stress by hitting pads or sparring with opponents. All martial art styles provide stress and anxiety relief, so whichever you choose to learn is likely to be good for your mental health.
Boosts Self-Confidence – The discipline and training from learning and mastering any martial arts can significantly bolster anyone’s self-confidence. For one, learning how to defend yourself allows you to step out of your comfort zone, such as when travelling solo to a foreign country. Next, you learn to trust your instincts when making critical decisions. With a highly developed fight or flight response, you’ll be able to handle the pressure every time. Finally, you gain the confidence to socialise and interact with different people. Since martial arts are usually taught as a class, you’ll get to mingle with people of different personalities and from various backgrounds.
Builds Grit and Self-Discipline – As a one of the main factors in determining success, grit is incredibly important, especially in children who are just developing and coming into their own personalities. Learning martial arts is an effective way to develop grit as these disciplines teach values like self-control, courage, responsibility, resilience, and determination.
There are so many ways martial arts can help improve different aspects of your life. When you invest enough time and energy in these sports, they can help you achieve the goals you set for yourself. As for kids, enrolling them in a class may be one of the best decisions you can make, since it can set them on a journey of self-discovery and give them valuable experiences that they will never forget.