Martial arts is more than just great exercise and great fun. Martial arts is a way of being that can improve anybody’s life, from an energetic three-year old boy to a ninety-year old woman. If you’ve been struggling with some life challenges, taking up martial arts can help. Here are five conditions that can be improved through martial arts:
Depression
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, approximately 8% of Canadians will experience major depression in their lives. People who suffer from depression feel fatigued, in pain, and struggle with many negative emotions. You may feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, but martial arts can help. Exercise is scientifically proven to combat depression. All it takes is going to that first lesson.
Anxiety
When you suffer from anxiety, even ordinary tasks can make you nervous. This anxiousness can have many negative side effects and prevent you from enjoying life. The mental lessons of martial arts give you focus and discipline, which can help reduce anxious feelings. As you train yourself to reign in anxiety in the dojo, these lessons can spill over into the rest of your life.
Aimlessness
If you’re at a stage in your life where you feel adrift and like you’ve lost direction, it may feel like there’s no escape. If you feel like you’re going through the motions in all areas of life, you may be able to reignite that spark through karate. Find a passion for something and reconnect with your inner spirit, and get a good workout at the same time.
Stress
If your daily life is stressing you out, the effects go well beyond the day-to-day. Long term stress increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and more. Martial arts can help reduce your stress levels. Whether it is an energetic karate lesson that helps you release some aggression, or a flowing and calming Tai Chi session that helps you relax and refocus, martial arts can relieve stress.
Loneliness
Martial arts can also help combat feelings of loneliness. When you take up martial arts, you instantly become part of a community of like-minded individuals. As you grow and learn together, you build bonds that can last a lifetime.
If you want to make a change in your life, there’s no better place to start than taking up martial arts. These are just some of the conditions that can be improved when you practice martial arts.
