Whether referring to Shotokan karate, Kung Fu or Tai Chi, there is no doubt that martial arts have a positive impact upon our health. It has already been shown that general physical activity is known to release a number of “feel-good” hormones; leading to a more balanced emotional outlook. However, martial arts take this benefit to the next level. Why is such a lifestyle one of the most effective ways to regain control of your life and to enjoy a superior level of psychological clarity? Let us take a look at what recent findings have discovered.
Peace and Clarity: Mental Acuity
Regularly performing martial arts (at least twice each week) can help to lower levels of aggression; particularly when adopted by teenagers and adolescents. This likely arises from the fact that one of the basic tenets of any martial art is to achieve control over wayward (and negative) emotions. It is therefore no surprise that this very same training will help to soothe a rough or frayed mental state. In fact, many equate martial arts to represent a physical form of meditation due to the amount of focus that is required.
Combating Anxiety and Depression
It is also interesting to note that martial arts have been known to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. This is likely a direct result of the hormones that were mentioned earlier in the article. In particular, chemicals such as norepinephrine and serotonin are known to play prominent roles in terms of feelings of elation and calm. If the body is trained properly, these very same substances will be released during an average martial arts session. We should likewise mention that they will remain active within the bloodstream long after the training has ended.
Improving the Quality of Your Life
Some individuals practice martial arts for mental clarity while others are more interested in their physical applications. For instance, those interested in MMA will often prefer to train with the help of the new Ryan Hall DVD; especially anyone who is already familiar with Fifty/50 guard training or loves heel hooks. However, quality of life is just as important as practical defense. Martial arts promote confidence, discipline and personal vision. These very same traits will translate into other areas such as work, relationships and family values.
Balance and Stability on Every Level
Ultimately, martial arts are beneficial to anyone who may feel as if they are lacking cognitive, emotional, physical, or spiritual balance. The great news is that it is possible to begin at nearly any age and there is a growing body of evidence which suggests that regular physical activity is able to stave off more serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and even cancer.
This is only a brief overview of some of the main benefits associated with martial arts. If you hope to keep up with the latest sporting news and blog posts, be sure to follow Sports Media 101 on a daily basis.
