7 Benefits of Martial Arts for Mental Health

There’s no denying the physical benefits that come from martial arts. However, on the other end of the spectrum, it’s also important to recognise the significant mental health benefits that come from learning and practising martial arts.Whether you’re a first timer climbing your way through the ranks, or you’re a regular fixture at the dojo, there are a wealth of benefits of practising martial arts; for the body, and the mind. It’s important to take a step back and look at some of the (less obvious) benefits that come from learning and practising martial arts.

1. Alleviate stress

Practising martial arts creates mental agility and develops skills that help alleviate stress.

The rigour and discipline of martial arts training, exercises and rewires your brain, developing your mental toughness and ability to remain alert and react to any situation in a calm and totally focused manner. This helps your brain stay on track and not wander to stressful thoughts, as well as deal with stressful situations in a calm and controlled manner.

Breathing techniques and mindfulness are also taught in martial arts practise, which has a direct effect on managing stress. Just as other practices such as yoga are used to combat stress, martial arts have those same breathing elements.

Also, when working out the brain produces endorphins, which are proven to combat stress.

2. Consistent routine

Learning the importance and benefits that a consistent routine can have on your mental health is a game changer. Having a consistent routine in the dojo helps give individuals a safe and secure place they can rely on. This reassurance helps people develop good habits that can have a real positive impact on their lives and therefore their mental health.

3. Emotional regulation

Emotional regulation is a key component in developing your skills as a martial artist. For children learning martial arts, emotional regulation means:

• Gaining self-confidence. Developing new skills and interacting in a positive environment with peers their own age, boosting their self-esteem and social confidence.
• Emotional stability. Learning to have full focus and control over their body helps them feel and react accordingly to emotional flair-ups.
• Assertiveness. Learning how to be assertive without being offensive or aggressive.
• Controlling and channelling aggressive feelings into a positive outcome. Allowing their aggression out through the physical attributes of martial arts allows them to get rid of and learn to control any pent-up aggression.

4. Goal setting 

Martial arts is very goal-focused. Always working towards achieving a new belt or honing a new skill, martial arts instils the practice and importance of goal setting in the gym, but also in everyday life. 

Setting goals gives an individual a roadmap to success. A key element in work, schooling, and home life, learning how to set impactful goals helps a person drive their life in a positive and productive direction.

5. Enhanced focus 

Enhancing your focus is achieved through different techniques in martial arts. Requiring complete focus in the present moment when learning and executing moves, hones that mental muscle. You also form a link between body and mind, working as one you are laser focused and controlled in your actions.

6. Discipline

To succeed at martial arts, you have to be disciplined. The training is physically and mentally demanding, but the feeling you take away at the end of a training session is one of achievement and pride.

Implementing discipline into your life helps you overcome barriers and become a confident and productive person. Far more capable of reaching goals as you don’t allow little things to throw you off track, or succumb to any lazy compulsions. Those who are able to implement a disciplined structure into their lives are the type of people we all admire.

7. Personal development

Often in life, we get stuck on personal or professional problems. Martial arts can help us overcome those barriers we so consistently put up. Faced with constant challenges during training, you are forced to acknowledge your weaknesses and learn from them, helping you develop a keener self-awareness and acceptance of your personal limits. 

Learn Martial Arts at UMF Academy

If you are thinking of taking up martial arts, UMF Academy is the place to do it. We deliver the industry’s number one character development system in our classes and know how to nurture the benefits that can be gained by doing martial arts. At UMF Academy, our dojo in Townsville offers a variety of programmes designed to instil discipline, boost self-confidence and most importantly have fun, with a big focus on incorporating key virtues such as integrity, humility, and respect, no matter your age.