4 Ways Martial Arts Relieves Stress
We all experience stress on a regular basis. It’s never pleasant, having to deal with it. Sadly, as working adults, it is just another problem that we have to deal with.
Studies have shown some alarming statistics about stress:
Stress is the basic cause of 60% of all human illnesses
3 out of 4 doctor’s visits are for stress-related ailments
77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms related to stress
73% of people regularly experience psychological symptoms related to stress
Now we all know that physical activity can do your body good, but it does more than that – it also relieves stress. Martial arts, in particular, is one of the best forms of stress relief out there. Not only does martial arts help you improve physically, it also promotes emotional, spiritual, and mental growth as well.
1) It boosts your endorphins
You know that awesome feeling you get right after an especially grueling Muay Thai class? Yes, that feeling that puts a smile on your face even after you thought you couldn’t finish your class. Those feelings are boosted by endorphins, your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. Endorphins are also known to be natural painkillers, improving your ability to sleep, which also reduces stress.
2) It helps you forget your problems
Anyone who’s practiced martial arts knows that you need to give your complete attention to your instructor, especially when he’s teaching techniques. Even when you spar, focus is needed, thus your mind needs to always be in the present moment. Martial arts helps you redirect your thoughts, making you completely forget about your stressful day. The more you shed your problems away and focus on martial arts, the easier it will be to stay calm and clear when you’re off the mats.
3) It builds patience
When you train martial arts, you know how frustrating it can get when you don’t understand a technique or lose in a spar against someone who you regularly beat. But the more classes you attend, you realize that these problems are trivial and are a big part of becoming a better martial artist. When you become used to shrugging off problems, you start to gain awareness of what’s a real problem and what’s not. You ignore little problems and focus on what’s more important instead.
4) It can be cathartic
There’s no doubt that a good BJJ or Muay Thai session is a great stress reliever. You can let all your problems out on the mats or in the ring, but remember to take caution of course. When you’ve devoted a good 5 minutes of intense rolling or sparring without thinking of anything else, chances are, you’ll forget about your horrible day completely.
The more you train martial arts, the more obvious its benefits become. Everyone who trains martial arts can attest to the overall improvements in their lives – stress levels, health, learning ability, the changes are undoubtedly amazing. So go on, unleash the hidden warrior within and change your life for the better. Try a martial arts class (or two) today!
